The tension between Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and ANC MPs devalues our democracy. Madonsela yesterday appeared before parliament's justice portfolio committee to ask for an extra R200-million so that her office could carry out its work. Committee chairman Mathole Motshekga seemed far from sympathetic to her request and the "deliberations" soon descended into the hurling of personal insults at Madonsela.MPs are duty bound to respect the office of the public protector and its constitutionally guaranteed mandate.Madonsela must be accountable for her actions, but so, too, must MPs.It is appalling that an ANC MP should have the audacity to accuse Madonsela of "behaving like the DA".Former Gauteng premier Motshekga, as committee chairman, has the responsibility to control proceedings - instead he allowed a political brawl .Such conduct strongly suggests that certain elected officials in the ANC serve their own political factions at the expense of their country.It is a direct attack on the integrity of Madonsela to say that she "behaves like the DA". How can such a statement be justified?The office of the public protector should be upheld, not undermined, and portfolio committee briefings are intended to address problems, not exacerbate them. This is not to suggest that Madonsela cannot be criticised, but that criticism must be demonstrably valid .Motshekga was among the ANC officials who sought to nullify Madonsela's finding that President Jacob Zuma should pay back part of the money spent on upgrading his Nkandla homestead by calling the finding merely a recommendation.Madonsela should not be punished for asking difficult but necessary questions .And if she is the target today, who will it be tomorrow?..