How the saga unfolded

Tshifhatuwo Tshivhase writes to Madonsela saying a draft proclamation for the SIU to investigate has been sent to President Jacob Zuma for his signature, and a letter sent to the auditor-general asking him to do the requested audit. Madonsela later confirms with both these offices that they have not begun any such investigations. May 31: Madonsela meets Mthethwa, Nxesi and Cwele, with Justice Minister Jeff Radebe, Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and top officials in their departments. It is suggested that their security concerns could be dealt with by her office, co-operating with officials from the security cluster. She agrees to let these officials meet her team and clarify their concerns in the provisional report. ● August 8: According to Madonsela, an unnamed minister asks that the ministers personally be given access to the report, rather than the officials. She agrees. The ministers say it was she who asked them to vet the report before she released it. ● November 1: Copies of the provisional report are delivered to Mthethwa’s house, with a covering letter explaining, according to Madonsela, that she expects comments from them in their own name by November 6, and that only they should have sight of the report. November 4: Nxesi writes to Madonsela on behalf of the ministers, asking for an extension to yesterday. ● November 5: Madonsela writes back,

agreeing to only a two-day extension. ● November 7: The day before the new deadline, Nxesi writes again, repeating the request for an extension until yesterday. His letter arrives at her office at 2pm and she is out of town. There is no response that day. ● November 8: Madonsela says she is busy preparing a response and considering an extension when she is served with court papers. Later that day she asks for a postponement to yesterday, effectively granting the extension the ministers had requested. – Craig Dodds