The DA leader in North West, Joe McGluwa, says the party raised questions about the shortage of staff and as well as a lack of financial assistance during a stakeholders’ meeting with Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane, at the North West Legislature on Thursday.

McGluwa says the party is worried these issues could become factors in ensuring that the office functions at optimum level.

“It is also clear that there seems to be a problem as to whether the fiscus will allow for assistance to the office of the Public Protector. It is for us nothing better than the previous [Public Protector] office when it comes to this financial assistance,” says McGluwa

Public Protector spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, says the office is only operating at half of its potential capacity due to a shortage of staff.
He says their office is doing the most they can, given the circumstances, however.

During her visit to the Free State last week, Mkhwebane said she would like to increase the number of offices they have in the country but financial muscle is their biggest challenge.
She said her office is in talks with the Department of Justice and the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department (Cogta) to ensure ease of access at grassroots levels.
She added the public would then be able to lodge complaints to the Public Protector at these institutions’ premises.

OFM News