Faizel Patel – 18/03/2021
Political analyst Sanusha Naidu says the vote in favour of establishing an inquiry to investigate Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office could be seen as a moral victory for the Democratic Alliance (DA).
There have been mixed responses following the parliamentary vote in favour of establishing an inquiry to investigate Mkhwebane.
In a historic move, 275 MPs across the political spectrum voted in favour of the move, with 40 against it
Mkhwebane will be the first leader of a Chapter 9 Institution to face such an inquiry.
Speaking to Radio Islam, Naidu says the while DA started off the independent inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office and there was initial dissent against the move, this has now changed.
“In the beginning there was dissent and there was this kickback to say we’re not going to support this because it’s coming from the opposition and we don’t do that. But we’ve seen over the weekend and we’ve seen that also reports that suggested that there’s been an approach where people have the big have said it’s mandatory.”
Naidu says there’s prima facie evidence against Mkhwebane.
“It’s very important to be interrogated. It also gives the public protector the chance and the opportunity to respond to that report in terms of what has been published. But at the same time, it’s unprecedented, we’ve never had this in the 25 years of our democracy where the head of a Chapter 9 institution has been called to account.”
Parliament will now move ahead with the process by establishing an ad hoc committee to lead the inquiry.
Listen to the interview with Sanusha Naidu
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