ANC MPs in Parly refuse to apologise to Thuli Madonsela over Nkandla

CAPE TOWN - African National Congress(ANC) MPs in Parliament's Justice Portfolio Committee have stood their ground on Thursday, refusing to apologise to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela for the way she has been treated over the Nkandla issue.

Madonsela received a hostile reception from governing party MPs in the committee when she presented her budget to Parliament last year.

WATCH: Madonsela: ConCourt judgment a victory for SA

The ANC also accused Madonsela of misleading the nation with her 2014 report titled "Secure in Comfort" when a parliamentary ad hoc committee considered her findings and remedial action.

Madonsela appeared in Parliament for the first time since the Constitutional Court ruled that President Jacob Zuma's failure to comply with her report was a violation of his constitutional obligations.

LISTEN: Public Protector shares her thoughts on Zuma's Nkandla concessions with EWN.

The highest court in the land ruled last month that Zuma had failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution.

The court also found the National Assembly had failed to ensure the president complied with Madonsela's remedial action, which included that he repay a reasonable portion of the money spent on upgrading his private home in rural KwaZulu-Natal.

The legislature passed a resolution absolving Zuma of financial liability for the R246 million project last August.

Before Madonsela presented her 2016/2017 budget to the portfolio committee on Thursday morning, Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Werner Horn addressed the elephant in the room.

"I also want to say that we've heard from the presiding officer of Parliament; she has indicated she indeed regrets the personal remarks and personal way the engagements with the Public Protector were conducted with this committee last year."

But ANC MP Bongani Bongo said there was no need to say sorry.

"I don't think we must apologise for anything here. It's just like when a judgment of a lower court has been dismissed by a higher court, the lower judge is not told he must apologise for the judgment. He just sets aside everything automatically."

Committee chairperson Mathole Motshekga warned against drawing what he regarded as political disputes into the meeting.

Motshekga said there was no need for the committee to revive past debates and disputes.

To read the full judgment by the ConCourt on Nkandla, click here.

To read the full statement by the Presidency, click here.

To view EWN's feature on key moments from the Nkandla saga, click here.