Cape Town – ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has reportedly promised to reveal the true reasons behind the ruling party’s decision to support the removal of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
President Cyril Ramaphosa formally removed Mkhwebane from office on Tuesday after a parliamentary vote in favour of the move, with 318 out of 400 MPs supporting the decision.
According to The Citizen, Mbalula said that the ANC initially supported Mkhwebane when she was accused of being a spy by opposition parties.
Mbalula said that he would explain the ANC’s stance in the coming days.
“In the next couple [of] days, I will explain why we removed Mkhwebane as the public protector we supported when others did not and accused her of being a spy.
“Other [political parties] joined for their own reasons but [the] ANC will speak for itself,” the report quoted Mbalula as saying.
The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the removal, considering it a victory for parliamentary accountability and stating that Mkhwebane’s tenure was a regrettable chapter in the country’s history.
I welcome the removal of Adv Mkhwebane as Public Protector, despite the DA objecting to her appointment in 2016, Parliament has finally agreed with the DA. Professionalism and respect for the rule of law must return to this important constitutional office.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) September 11, 2023
“I welcome the removal of Adv Mkhwebane as Public Protector, despite the DA objecting to her appointment in 2016, Parliament has finally agreed with the DA. Professionalism and respect for the rule of law must return to this important constitutional office,” said DA leader John Steeinhuisen.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, on the other hand, expressed surprise at the speed with which Ramaphosa acted in this matter, contrasting it with his usual deliberative approach.
“The President acted with speed this time around. He normally takes time to apply his mind on matters of this nature,” said Holomisa.
The President acted with speed this time around. He normally takes time to apply his mind on matters of this nature. pic.twitter.com/gJsZ9TonA5
— Bantu Holomisa (@BantuHolomisa) September 13, 2023
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Picture: Twitter/ @MbalulaFikile
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
