Staff Reporter.
Former public protector Thuli Madonsela has expresssed shock at insults about her looks, qualifications and questioning whether she was born in South Africa.
During her testimony at the parliamentary inquiry into Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office ,advocate Dali Mpofu accused her of possible criminality and questioned whether she was an advocate.
On Friday, Madonsela hit back at Mpofu’s line of questioning.
Keep an open mind and search for the truth in all places where it is likely to be… Where do you look before you conclude whether an advocate is registered with the LPC?… the LPC,” she posted on Twitter.
The tweet was posted with a screenshot of her registration details on the LPC website.
This info was on the LPC website on the 6th and 7th of March 2023, where members of the public accessed it freely and instantaneously posted it. This means anyone using … logic would have found it,” she added.
Speaking to News24, Madonsela said Mpofu’s questions were meant to “ignite and peddle” suspicions.
“I was shocked and concerned by the level of malevolence and unprofessionalism, both in terms of how this was brought into the inquiry by Mpofu, and how it was processed,” she said.
Madonsela also said Mpofu’s questions appeared to have been endorsed by Mkhwebane.
Mpofu’s questions led to many people on social media posting that Madonsela is not an advocate. During the hearing Mpofu also insulted Madonsela’s looks and questioned her origins.
It led to some legal experts calling for Mpofu to be reported to the LPC for his behaviour.
University of Pretoria senior law lecturer Dr Llewelyn Curlewis described Mpofu’s behaviour as “highly unethical and disrespectful”.
“Not only should his conduct be reported by advocate Madonsela, committee chair Qubudile Dyantyi should also request the LPC to investigate and possibly discipline him. “He plays the person and definitely not the law,” said Curlewis.
Compiled by Lehlohonolo Lehana.