ANC: Public Protector inquiry a 'witch-hunt'
The African National Congress (ANC) has lashed out at the decision by Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services to institute an inquiry into Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office.
The ruling party has described the inquiry as a witch-hunt meant to silence Mkhwebane.
The public protector has come under fire for ordering parliament to change the Reserve Bank's mandate as part of her remedial action over the Bankorp report.
But the ANC's Zizi Kodwa says just because there is disagreement on the outcomes of Mkhwebane's investigations, does not mean she is unfit for office.
"It simply means the aggrieved party does not agree and should therefore seek other remedies, including judicial review of the public protector's rulings, as provided for in our legislation.
"During her tenure, she has chosen to focus her attention on serving the masses of our people rather than solely conducting Hollywood-style investigations. Further, she has dared to question the mandate of the Reserve Bank and called upon ABSA, successor to apartheid-era bank Bankorp, to repay monies lent to them by the Reserve Bank.
"She has clearly rattled cages and unsettled entrenched interests."
Kodwa says the Constitution makes it clear that a Public Protector may only be removed on the grounds of misconduct, incapacity or incompetence.
"Advocate Mkhwebane falls into none of these categories, instead she has been at the receiving end of a concerted campaign to discredit her since her appointment almost a year ago."
The inquiry follows a request by the Democratic Alliance (DA), asking National Assembly speaker Baleka Mbete to look into the public protector's suitability for the job.