Madonsela deserves support

[caption id="attachment_50864" align="alignright" width="300"] THULI MADONSELA [/caption]

THE latest attack on Thuli Madonsela raises an anger in me that should surely be affecting many other South African citizens in the same way.

According to the article in The Herald ("Madonsela in firing line," October 10), "A group of 'lawyers and educationists' has filed a formal complaint against the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela over her report on Nkandla and called for her removal from office".

As far as I am concerned the outcome of this decision as to whether Thuli Madonsela is removed from the office of public protector, or stays in office and completes her duties, is a tipping point in South Africa's history.

This country either takes a leap downhill (just another banana republic), or we try to recover from the wrongs of the past and keep our young democracy alive by creating new hope and opportunities for all our citizens.

Thuli Madonsela has taken the morally high and correct stand by insisting that Jacob Zuma pay back at least some of the R250- million spent on upgrading his private residence.

Why every South African citizen isn't making a big song and dance about this in her favour is beyond my comprehension – have we become so intimidated that we can't stand up for people who are doing the "right thing"?

Madonsela is a true heroine whose integrity and courage as public protector is admirable. She commands our support, and we need more of her kind in parliament in the top jobs.

Imagine what a beacon of hope and inspiration that would be.

We should all be standing up for Madonsela to avoid the abyss which otherwise awaits us.

Peter Booth, Port Elizabeth