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The report of the Public Protector was not referred to the Committee on Public Accounts, as reported by some media.

In terms of the Rules of the National Assembly the Speaker must table among others all reports and other papers submitted in terms of legislation

This is done by way of an entry in the Announcements, Tablings and Committee (ATC) Reports publication (a journal of Parliament). The Rules also determine that such reports and/or papers are referred to the appropriate committee by the Speaker.

The report of the Public protector into complaints and allegations of maladministration, improper and unlawful conduct by the Department of Public Works and the SA Police Services relating to the leasing of office accommodation in Durban was received and tabled in the ATC of 27 July 2011 (p 2452). It was not at that stage referred to any committee.

This report, together with many others, that were received while Parliament was engaged in constituency and committee work, will be referred to the appropriate committees when the National Assembly begins sitting next week.

The matter has since been discussed with Mr Themba Godi, who has indicated that his statement about the referral of the report of the Public Protector had been due to a misreading of the ATC of 27 July 2011. The report that was referred to the Committee on Public Accounts was the reply from the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to that committee’s report.

Mr Godi accepts that the report of Public Protector has not been referred to his committee.