Treat Madonsela with respect

SHAMEFUL – that is only one of the ways that I can explain Friday's The Herald billboards and headlines. If The Herald columnist or sub-editor had actually done their homework properly, they would have realised two things about the public protector, Thuli Madonsela.

First is that she is a gracious and soft-spoken woman who does not "lash out". Unlike individuals such as Mathole Motshekga, this is a woman who is way too intelligent to "lash out", and therefore cross from being apolitical to political or intentionally make more enemies.

Second, The Herald should be able to give respect where respect is due. It is quite apparent that it is not just the office of the public protector that is under attack, more specifically it is Madonsela who is under attack.

Printing headlines and billboards that will exacerbate her situation and quite possibly heighten the political attacks on her by the ruling party is disingenuous. She is our protector and is currently all that stands between the last bits of South Africa's parliamentary integrity and the great abyss.

I am quite sure any other sort of headline mentioning the public protector would sell as many copies as the one printed on boards all around town.

Ed Gutsche, Port Elizabeth