‘We will do our investigations cordially‚’ says public protector on her first day

17 October 2016 - 13:51 By Penwell Dlamini
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New Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane reported for duty in Pretoria on Monday and indicated that she will investigate all matters brought to her office “cordially”.

New Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane reported for duty in Pretoria on Monday and indicated that she will investigate all matters brought to her office “cordially”.

“Whatever investigation we do - we will do it cordially‚” Mkhwebane's office tweeted‚ with a #PPFirstDay hashtag.

Mkhwebane met with senior management at the Public Protector offices on Monday‚ to tell her team "we are all leaders".

On Tuesday‚ she is expected to have introduction meetings in Parliament as she takes over the post left by Thuli Madonsela‚ whose tenure ended on Friday.

On her last day in office‚ Madonsela released outstanding reports‚ but agreed not to issue the much talked-about report on state capture. President Jacob Zuma and Cooperative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen had applied to interdict the release of the report which is said to detail improper relationships with the politically connected Gupta family. The report was given to Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete for safe-keeping and is expected to be handed to Mkhwebane soon‚ possibly today.

The popular Madonsela welcomed the incoming public protector to the hot seat by retweeting a photo of Mkhwebane around a boardroom table‚ saying: “Congratulations Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane @busisiwe02 on assuming office. Blessings as you & @PublicProtector team continue to protect the people”.

Selby Bokaba ‏@Selbybok led other well-wishers‚ tweeting her to say: "@busisiwe02 I know you won't disappoint. May the good Lord grant you wisdom as you navigate the treacherous road that is @PublicProtector".

Matsepane Morare ‏@MatsepaneMorare quoted author Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "If"‚ with this message: "@PublicProtector -To paraphrase Kipling: Pray you will keep your head & integrity when all around you are losing theirs & blaming it on you!"

VoiceOfReason ‏@RealityCheck_24 VoiceOfReason appealed to a higher authority for aid‚ stating: "@busisiwe02 I know you won't disappoint. May the good Lord grant you wisdom as you navigate the treacherous road that is @PublicProtector".

Sibusiso Cele ‏@redshoeman_cele advised her of the importance of her role‚ sharing: "@PublicProtector South Africa is a mess‚ which was a good country for a short time‚ its people like you who can bring it back".

Sibusiso Cele ‏@redshoeman_cele shared: "@PublicProtector Maam Thuli set a standard so high for you. Our only hope is that you will work with integrity like her‚ buying no faces" while Roddy Louther ‏@Roddy_L reckoned good manners could comfortably go hand in hand with the job‚ posting: "@PublicProtector @busisiwe02 All the best with your investigations Ma'am. I am sure your cordial manner will hide a steely assertiveness".

– TMG Digital

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