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The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted with growing concern the allegations being against the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

We are equally concerned however with the counter-allegation that these elements in the Hawks are waging a campaign to discredit and intimidate the Public Protector, who has been investigating suspect property deals involving both the SAPS and the Department of Public Works.

Justice Minister Jeff Radebe has confirmed that his department has not made any request for the SAPS to investigate the Public Protector, and that an investigation of similar allegations against her in 2009 had found no evidence of wrong-doing and that the matter was closed.

Any genuine allegations must be fully investigated, and no one is above the law. But this must not interrupt the ongoing probes that the Public Protector is conducting into allegation of the misuse of public funds and corrupt deals.

Thuli Madonsela is to be commended for fearlessly trying to expose crime and corruption, fully in line with the mandate from the ANC Polokwane Conference and last year’s National General Council, which list the fight against crime and corruption as one of the five top national priorities.

COSATU welcomes and agrees with the statement from the Presidency which reiterates “the government’s commitment and support to the work and Office of the Public Protector as stipulated in law” and says that she “should be allowed to do her work without fear or favour and without hindrance.”

The battle to defeat corruption is a top national priority and nothing must be allowed to undermine or slow down investigations which seek to expose corruption and bring the perpetrators to justice.