Staff Reporter.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has expressed concern over Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s continued attacks because of her findings against him.
A statement released by Mkhwebane’s office on Tuesday alleges that Mabuyane made remarks at the ANC’s 110th anniversary on her findings relating to the funeral of late struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
“It has been brought to the public protector’s attention that Premier Mabuyane was at it again during an event to mark the 110th anniversary of the ANC in Ngcobo at the weekend,” she said in a statement on Tuesday.
“For the record, Premier Mabuyane, along with MEC Madikizela, took the investigation report in question on review as he is entitled to.”
Mkhwebane has further called on Mabuyane to respect his oath of office.
“The PPSA calls on Mr Mabuyane to respect the oath of office he took, in terms of which he swore to be faithful to, obey, respect and uphold the Constitution of the Republic. Part and parcel of respecting the Constitution is living up to the the provisions of section 181 of the Constitution and, in particular, subsection 3 thereof, which enjoins other organs of state to support and assist independent constitutional institutions such as the PPSA to ensure their independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness.”
Last year, a report by Mkhwebane found that Mabuyane and the MEC of Public Works and Infrastructure Babalo Madikizela and other companies, irregularly benefitted from a R1.1 million tender allocated for the memorial service of Madikizela-Mandela.
Mabuyane and Madikizela are now subject to a Hawks investigation following Mkhwebane’s findings that they allegedly benefitted from about R1.1 million, which was meant for the memorial service of late struggle stalwart, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
The provincial Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture paid the money to the Mbizana Local Municipality to help transport the public to the event.