Pretoria – Government has distanced itself from the reported statement by Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Kebby Maphatsoe, that Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is an agent of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Information and Publicity, Minister Jeff Radebe, said the comments by Deputy Minister Maphatsoe were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the views and position of the South African government.
Deputy Minister Maphatsoe made the remarks at the tombstone unveiling of an Umkhonto weSizwe combatant in Soweto on Saturday.
“Government distances itself from such accusations, as they were never discussed at any official government meeting nor do they reflect the views and thinking of government,” Minister Radebe said on Tuesday.
He said the allegations against any country or persons, including those responsible for guarding and upholding constitutional values, should be raised and addressed at appropriate platforms.
Minister Radebe also reiterated his trust in the country’s Chapter 9 institutions saying they contribute towards monitoring the accountability of government, and the transformation of South Africa into a society in which social justice prevails.
The State institutions, Minister Radebe said, are independent of government and are subject only to the Constitution and the law.
“We have created these high institutions to ensure that South Africa remains a constitutional state and government remains steadfast to protecting their role in taking the country forward,” said Minister Radebe.
He said South Africa enjoys a cordial diplomatic relationship with the United States of America.
