Suspended Public Protector, advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, has hit back at acting public protector advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, saying she has exposed herself.
Mkhwebane spoke to YNews about her intended return to office as her suspension had expired, according to the presidential minute issued.
In a quick off the mark statement released by Gcaleka on Monday evening after Mkhwebane’s announcement, she revealed that the President’s June suspension of Mkhwebane remains effective.
The acting public protector also blurted out that Mkhwebane is no longer an employee of the Chapter 9 institution.
Mkhwebane has labelled Gcaleka’s actions as embarrassing.
“She should have kept quiet. I mean I’m receiving my benefits and everything at the Public Protector South Africa, my salary and everything, I mean she should have kept quiet.”
“She’s exposing herself to be the president’s protector, we are appointed by the national assembly. We are not appointed by the President.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has also struck back at Mkhwebane, saying she has no right or entitlement to return to work.
He says Mkhwebane’s intention is misconceived given that the section 194 inquiry has not completed its work.
Ramaphosa says the work of the committee will only be finalised once the national assembly has adopted the committee’s resolution that’s advocating for her removal.
The committee, which was tasked with probing Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office, recently found her guilty of misconduct.
Mkhwebane is adamant that the presidential minute issued by Ramaphosa stands and allows her to back to her seat as the Public Protector, until her term comes to an end in October.
She has also cast doubt on the upcoming National Assembly vote of the committee’s report that will be tabled on Monday.
“Anyway, I know the pre-determined outcome that they will vote to remove me, and the ANC for the first time in the history of the country, they will push for the DA’s motion and vote me out.”
Mkhwebane has made it clear that she will not take her removal lying down and will be taking the report on review.
“I’m sending a message to history, I’m sending a message to generations to come that this process was riddled with unlawfulness, illegalities.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA), who has been at the forefront of Mkhwebane’s removal says Mkhwebane’s alleged misplaced arrogance underlines that she is simply not fit for purpose.
The DA’s Glynnis Breytenbach says Mkhwebane reconsider her intentions also echoing the president’s sentiments that the work of the section 194, still awaits the National Assembly vote.
“Any return to office prior to those proceedings being concluded will be contra her notice of suspension and must attract embarrassing and undignified consequences.
“She is not doing her own cause any good, nor is she giving any thought to the consequences of her actions on the office she notionally heads,” says Breytenbach.
