By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The panel looking into Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and her fitness to hold office has concluded its work.
National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise appointed the panel last year to conduct a preliminary inquiry.
This after Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip Natasha Mazzone tabled the motion.
“Mkhwebane’s tenure as public protector dirties the once proud reputation of this vital Chapter 9 institution of holding the Executive to account without fear or favour. Under her guidance, the institution has suffered blow after blow in South African courts and leaves a clear impression of toothlessness and ineptitude,” Mazzone said.
The panel, headed by former constitutional judge Bess Nkabinde and advocates Dumisa Ntsebeza and Johan De Waal, has completed its work.
The purpose of the panel is to conduct a preliminary assessment about whether there is prima facie evidence to show that Mkhwebane has committed the misconduct alleged in the motion filed by the DA, and/or whether she is incompetent for the reasons alleged in the motion.
Parliament rules specify that the panel should comprise three fit and proper SA citizens who, collectively, possess the necessary legal and other competencies and experience to conduct the preliminary assessment.
After losing many court challenges and trying to block the inquiry, members of Parliament will find out if Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is indeed fit to hold office.
Mkhwebane lost several court cases in 2020 after taking them on review. The cases included her report and remedial action in the early retirement of former South African Revenue Service (SARS) deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay, the Estina dairy farm report and the CR17 presidential campaign funds report – she lost all the cases.
The report will be available next week Monday.