By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Acting Public Protector, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. Photo Credit: Univen.
The Public Protector’s office has confirmed that investigations into allegations that the President Cyril Ramaphosa violated the Executive Code of Ethics are “ongoing and on track”.
This after a complaint was lodged by the African Transformational Movement (ATM).
Four complaints have been received against the president. Two were lodged in terms of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act (EMEA), while the rest were lodged under the Public Protector Act.
The Public Protector’s report into the theft is expected to be completed in the first 10 days of July, but this might not happen, after Ramaphosa requested an extension for the response to the allegations
In a statement issued on Friday, the PP’s office said following a letter written to him for a response to the allegations, the President, through his attorneys, requested an extension of the initial return date of June 22 and upon careful consideration of the request, brought to Acting Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka’s attention by the investigation officer for approval, it was acceded to.
The statement said: “It must be noted that requests such as the president’s are quite common… In fact, the president made a similar request in respect of a previous EMEA investigation (Bosasa) and that request was also acceded to.”
Gcaleka has written to Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the statement said, to inform her that the office’s final report will be sent through once investigations are completed.
“In terms of section 3(2) of the EMEA, the Public Protector must submit a report on the alleged breach of the Code of Ethics within 30 days of receipt of the complaint.
However, section 3(3) states thus: “If the Public Protector reports at the end of the period referred to in subsection (2) that the investigation has not yet been completed, the Public Protector must submit another report when the investigation has been compIeted.”
“The PPSA never completes EMEA investigations within the prescribed 30-day period due to the complexity of such matters, among other reasons. The institution currently has, in its caseload, several active EMEA investigations, some of which date back to 2020.”
Gcaleka vowed to carry out all the investigations with integrity, without fear, favour or prejudice to give effect to the principle of equality before the law.