SA Roadies Association founder and chairman Freddie Nyatela told a parliamentary inquiry that Mkhwebane was the only public defender who met him personally and prioritized his case.
FILE: Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on July 22, 2019. Photo: Sethembiso Zulu/EWN
CAPE TOWN – The first witness to testify for public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane said her appointment was a game-changer for vulnerable South Africans.
She helped him resolve a dispute with the Department of Arts and Culture that had dragged on for more than a decade.
SA Roadies Association founder and chairman Freddie Nyatela told a parliamentary inquiry that Mkhwebane was the only public defender who met him personally and prioritized his case.
Nyatela said he first approached the Public Protector’s office under Lawrence Mushwana.
The issue remained unresolved even during the tenure of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
“At our expense, the department was handled with kid gloves and this case dragged on and on without any closure until Madonsela’s lawyer left.”
Nyatela said he was surprised to hear a previous witness, the head of the Public Protector’s office, Ponatego Magaladi, testify that he liked to complain about investigators.
“Is there anyone who likes to complain? No. We are going to the public defender to complain because we have evidence.”
Nietela’s testimony will continue on Wednesday.
