There have been "defiant trends" against the Public Protector and this is eroding the office's ability to do its job, Thuli Madonsela said on Monday.

She told National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete, through the media at a briefing in Pretoria, that there was "bickering" concerning her office's request for more funding.

“I'm appealing to the National Assembly to collectively exercise leadership. Since the bickering started, we are witnessing worrying defiant trends," Madonsela said.

"My team and I are concerned the safety valve our office is to provide is being eroded. This office's ability to strengthen Constitutional democracy is being eroded."

She said she hoped that after today [Monday], the Speaker would "advise her colleagues" that she was not saying that the Nkandla report was the reason her office did not receive money.

"This office desperately needs resources. The problem is how we talk. This bickering must go away so we can start having mature conversations about those resources."

She appealed for the matter to stop being "personalised".

"This is important for government to play a central role in driving delivery," Madonsela said.

"I once again advise that my office is available to assist the National Assembly... by presenting an overview of the [Nkandla] report or answering any questions about upgrades to the president's home."

Her report found that Zuma had to pay back a portion of the money used for non-security upgrades to his homestead, as he unduly benefited from them.

"I would like to place on record... that nowhere does the Public Protector report advise the president to engage the minister of police with a view to determine a fair amount to be paid by him," she said.

“I further place on record that the appropriate paragraph asked the president to make the determination himself with the help of National Treasury.”

News24.com