Page:Constitution of the Republic of South Africa 1993 from Government Gazette.djvu/38

74   No. 15466

at any time prior to, during or after an investigation—

if he or she is of the opinion that the facts disclose the commission of an offence by any person, to bring the matter to the notice of the relevant authority charged with prosecutions; or if he or she deems it advisable, to refer any matter which has a bearing on an investigation, to the appropriate public body or authority affected by it or to make an appropriate recommendation regarding the redress of the prejudice resulting therefrom or make any other appropriate recommendation he or she deems expedient to the affected public body or authority.

(2) Nothing in subsection (1) shall be construed as empowering the Public Protector to investigate the performance of judicial functions by any court of law.

(3) The Public Protector shall conduct an investigation under subsection (1) with due regard to the circumstances of each case, and shall for the purposes of such investigation, in addition to such powers as may be prescribed by law, but subject to the provisions of this Constitution and the law of privilege, be competent to—

direct any person to appear before him or her to give evidence or to produce any document in his or her possession or under his or her control which, in the opinion of the Public Protector, has a bearing on the matter being inquired into, and may examine such person for that purpose; and enter, or authorise another person to enter, any building or premises and there to make such investigation or inquiry as he or she may deem necessary, and seize anything on those premises which in his or her opinion has a bearing on the purpose of the investigation.

(4) The Public Protector or any member of his or her staff shall be competent, but not compellable, to answer questions in any proceedings in or before a court of law or any body or institution established by or under any law, in connection with any information which in the course of his or her investigation has come to his or her knowledge.

(5) Recourse to, or the exercise and performance of any powers and functions of, the Public Protector shall not oust the jurisdiction of a court of law to hear any matter or cause whatsoever.

(6) The Public Protector shall report in writing on his or her activities to Parliament at least once every year.

Staff and expenditure

113. (1) The Public Protector may appoint, on such terms and conditions of service as may be determined by or under a law, such persons as may be necessary for the discharge of the work of the office of the Public Protector.

(2) The Public Protector may delegate any of his or her powers or functions to persons referred to in subsection (1) subject to such conditions as may be determined by or under a law.

(3) Expenditure incidental to the exercise and performance of the powers and functions of the Public Protector in terms of this Constitution or under any other law shall be defrayed from money appropriated by Parliament.

Provincial public protectors

114. (1) A provincial legislature may, subject to subsections (2) and (3), by law provide for the establishment, appointment, powers and functions of a provincial public protector and for matters in connection therewith.

(2) A provincial law referred to in subsection (1) shall not in any way derogate from the powers and functions of the Public Protector.

(3) A provincial public protector shall be appointed by the Premier of a province in consultation with the Public Protector, provided that the appointment shall be confirmed by resolution of a majority of at least two-thirds of all the members of the provincial legislature.