South Africans celebrate anti-corruption chief who gave Zuma headache

South Africa

Thuli Madonsela, South Africa’s Public Protector, leaves office today (October 14). But she leaves the job as the country’s most fearless anti corruption official till date.

Madonsela was appointed by president Jacob Zuma in 2009 for non-renewable seven year tenure. But the president has been at the receiving end of her heroic investigations even till today that she leaves office.

On Friday morning, it took a court ruling to block her from releasing her report into allegations that the wealthy Gupta family influenced the appointment of ministers last year in what has been dubbed “state capture”.

President Jacob Zuma mounted the legal challenge asking that the release of the results should be transferred to the next public protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THULI South Africa’s ‘Iron Lady’ talks to Africanews about tackling corruption

She investigated and demanded the country’s embattled president pays back part of the 16 million US dollars of state funds used to upgrade his private residence.

And although she appears to have mastered the rough terrain of her job, the one thing she probably did not anticipate was to receive death threats for her work on the Nkandla scandal.

South Africans – politicians, journalists, ordinary people – have taken to social media platform, twitter, to celebrate her tenure as a period that brought increased accountability of the most highest employee of the country. She also addressed her last press conference in the post on Friday afternoon.

Sister #ThuliMadonsela must release that report like one of those farts you can't hold in! Silent but deadly
— Siv Ngesi (@iamSivN) October 14, 2016

#ThuliMadonsela has left a formidable legacy for her successor to emulate.
— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) October 14, 2016

The South African of the Decade Award goes to.. #ThuliMadonsela For being an amazingly great human being. pic.twitter.com/rRQLYKWSPH
— Winnie Theletsane (@Lady_winnieT) October 14, 2016

Wow South Africa is one of a kind #ThuliMadonsela now Madonslayer!!!! pic.twitter.com/1zKIcd6VwS
— Obafemi (@obafemiconcepts) October 14, 2016

SA bids farewell to courageous Adv. Thuli Madonsela. Zapiro’s cartoons reflect on Thuli’s seven-year tenure #ThuliMadonsela #PublicProtector pic.twitter.com/fc3omAtwsh
— Zapiro (@zapiro) October 14, 2016

Having defended the Constitution and kept your integrity. Your name is #UBabes we Intergrity#ThuliMadonsela pic.twitter.com/8WiyOKuy3l
— IG: Mzuphela Yeko (@Gudsile) October 14, 2016

Thank you for your service to RSA, Mam'ThuliMadonsela3. You are an inspiration & a true defender of our constitution. #ThuliMadonsela
— Athol Trollip (AtholT) October 14, 2016

Today we salute ThuliMadonsela3 on her last day in office. Your courage is what having apples is all about. #ThuliMadonsela #GotApples pic.twitter.com/a7b6ECLZIR
— Savanna Cider (SavannaCider) October 14, 2016

A leader by birth, a remarkable lady of integrity who made her mark. We Love you MamaThuli😘😍 😍👇#ThuliMadonsela pic.twitter.com/CMFbTpufHg
— 👑XHOSA PRINCESS🔵 (@BusiMaryMjacu) October 14, 2016

ThuliMadonsela3 you taught me that I don't need to be loud to be heard and respected ✊👏 #ThuliMadonsela 💖👑 pic.twitter.com/o3saxI6u5o
— Proud'TswanaWoman (handful_K) October 14, 2016