Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Tuesday announced the release of five reports, one of which involves maladministration or corruption involving persons in the Constitutional Court and another involving African National Congress (ANC) MP Pemmy Majodina.

Mkhwebane was speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria, where she revealed that the other reports investigated by the Public Protector’s office related to legal aid at the expense of the State, pensions in relation to the public sector and public education.

The Public Protector investigated allegations of misuse of public funds involving Majodina and her son Mkhonto Wesizwe after he had allegedly received a Personal Protective Equipment tender and a graphics design deal with Parliament.

She said her office decided to look into whether the awarding of the procurement deal, which supplied thermometers worth R52 500, was paid from public finds by the ANC parliamentary caucus to a company owned by Wesizwe and whether it amounted to improper conduct and maladministration.

The Public Protector’s office also investigated whether Majodina created the post of the graphic designer in the office of the ANC’s Parliamentary caucus using public funds and whether she had employed her son without following due process and, if so, whether it amounted to improper conduct and maladministration.

The investigation also centered around whether Majodina abused public funds in using the office of the ANC Parliamentary caucus to pay for car rentals, despite receiving monthly allowances and, if so, whether it amounts to maladministration. Mkhwebane explained that her office found that this allegation is substantiated.

The Public Protector also investigated whether Parliament failed or delayed to put adequate controls and regulatory measures in place to ensure transparency and accountability, and, if not, whether it amounts to maladministration.