By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Section 194 Inquiry into Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office today had to postpone its planned hearings for the week after it received a sick note from the suspended public protector.
Mkhwebane was expected to continue with her testimony on Thursday, however, it was revealed that the Public Protector has been booked off until next Tuesday because she has fallen ill.
“Please, but urgently inform the chairperson that I am booked off from today, 22 March, until 27 March. I will unfortunately not be able to attend the hearing. I will be able to attend on 28 March. I will share the sick note if needed,” her email sent to the Section 194 Committee read.
The committee’s chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi confirmed that he asked and received Mkhwebane’s medical certificate.
“I will not share the details in this meeting,” he said, adding that “nothing can happen until she’s able to come [and testify]”.
Dyantyi indicated that the committee would be forced to revise its programme due to the days lost since Mkhwebane started testifying last week.
The inquiry did not conduct the impeachment hearings last Friday as well as on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this week.
According to the committee’s draft programme, the inquiry will resume on 28 to 31 March, for Mkhwebane to conclude giving her oral evidence before being cross-examined by the evidence leaders from 3 to 6 April and again on 11 April.
Mkhwebane will then be questioned by members of the inquiry from 12 to 14 April, thereafter, closing arguments will be heard from 18 to 21 April.
The committee aims to table its draft report on the inquiry hearings on 8 May, before adopting a final report on 29 May.