Cape Town – The National Assembly has confirmed the removal of Busisiwe Mkhwebane from her position as Public Protector, and the decision now awaits President Cyril Ramaphosa’s approval.
This comes after a vote in which 318 members of the National Assembly supported her removal, with 43 opposing it.
The National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, officially announced Mkhwebane’s removal from office.
“The question is agreed to and advocate B Mkhwebane is accordingly removed from the Office of the Public Protector,” EWN quoted Mapisa-Nqakula as saying.
However, some opposition members have vowed to challenge her removal in court, with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) indicating their intention to take the matter for review and inviting Mkhwebane to join their legal challenge.
The EFF described the outcome of the Section194 inquiry into Mkhwebane to hold office as “predetermined”.
The party’s Member of Parliament, Omphile Maotwe, contended that the entire process had been marked by unfairness from the outset.
♦️Must Watch♦️
The EFF Treasurer General @OmphileMaotwe in Parliament rejecting the consideration of the report on the removal of Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane from office of Public Protector.
We reject the report, and we reject the political witch-hunt initiated by the DA and… pic.twitter.com/UiAoVOTaXO
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) September 11, 2023
According to her, the committee introduced obstacles in Mkhwebane’s path and refused her access to legal representation, particularly after the Acting Public Protector, Adv Kholeka Gcaleka, declared that her office lacked the funds to cover her legal expenses.
“We reject the report, and we reject the political witch-hunt initiated by the DA and supported by the ANC to punish Advocate Mkhwebane in order to protect Mr. Ramaphosa,” she Maotwe.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@AdvoBarryRoux
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
