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Sat May 26 06:48:18 SAST 2012

South Africa needs to improve Mo Ibrahim index ranking: protector

Sapa | 17 October, 2011 10:435 Comments
Public protector Thuli Madonsela.

South Africa's fifth place on the Ibrahim Index was not grounds for the country to rest on its laurels, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Monday.

Opening the Public Protector's Good Governance Conference in Pretoria, Madonsela said that while South Africa had come fifth on the index, its score had only improved by a mere half a percent since 2008.

"It's a good starting point. It's not a cause to relax."

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Ibrahim Index of African Governance assesses governance and leadership in African countries.

Madonsela said that when South Africa's Constitution was adopted in 1996 those in power had to then accept that they were not only accountable to Parliament and the courts, but also to Chapter 9 institutions such as the Public Service Commission and the Public Protector.

"Public power is borrowed. When this power is abused, then the people cannot benefit."

She said there were those who still thought of her office in a "before the Constitution" mindset and failed to accept the reality of its mandate.

"I do not have to be a court of law to ask you questions. I don't have to be a court of law to ask you to correct your actions."

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South Africa needs to improve Mo Ibrahim index ranking: protector

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COMMENTS [5]

Beelzebub

Posted 221 days ago
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I feel sorry for this woman. She is so determined to do the right thing, so determined to do her job and obviously has a real love for her country. I see disillusionment for her down the line. The man she reports to, is tight with those mampara's that she has made findings against.
I bet that those in power are applying their minds on the 'Thuli Modensala' problem, wracking their brains on how to get rid of this woman, but in a way that doesn't cause too much bad press.
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bugsy

Posted 221 days ago
I am hoping against hope that the gangsters in power don't find a way to get rid of her. You can bet your bottom dollar they are plotting, boy are they plotting.

Baas_Frikkie

Posted 221 days ago
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Talk about a square peg in a round hole. Constitutionally she is performing admirably but as we now know the ANC government has no respect for the constitution.

BobbyBob

Posted 221 days ago
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It would be a shame if she was forced to leave. You sense she has respect for the constitution and the country.

MisterWendal

Posted 221 days ago
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Fifth out of fifty-three is a solid effort (considering 3 of the top five are little islands). Of the mainland countries, only Botswana pipped South Africa in this ranking - and Zimbabwe stubbornly props up the bottom with Somalia and Chad!