Parliamentary green light for Mkhwebane no confidence proceedings
National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has approved a motion by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to start removal proceedings against Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
The proceedings will be unprecedented following last month's adoption by the National Assembly of new rules concerning the removal of office-bearers in the institutions supporting constitutional democracy.
"The new rules expand on the broad parameters in section 194 of the Constitution (which provides for the removal of heads of chapter 9 institutions) and previous National Assembly Rules," a Parliamentary statement reads.
According to the statement, these rules now open the door for Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's to face a jury of her peers.
"The office of National Assembly Speaker Ms Thandi Modise has approved a motion received from the Chief Whip of the Democratic Alliance requesting that Parliament initiate proceedings for removal of Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
"The Democratic Alliance’s draft substantive motion for the removal of Advocate Mkhwebane will thus be considered in terms of these new Rules."
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However several steps must be undertaken before voting can get underway.
"If the speaker is satisfied that the motion meets all requirements, the National Assembly Speaker must refer the motion and any supporting documents for preliminary assessment to an independent panel," the statement adds.
"The panel must conduct and finalise a preliminary assessment on the motion proposing a section 194 inquiry and make a recommendation to the speaker."
A subcommittee will also be tasked with determining whether or not the case against Mkhwebane holds.
The report will then be submitted to Parliament - if the report finds there is just cause then voting gets underway.
The official opposition has been vocal on the need to remove Busisiwe Mkhwebane as it believes she is not fit to hold office.
This follows a string of public spats with high profile politicians and government officials including President Cyril Ramaphosa and Pravin Gordhan.
DA Chief Whip Natasha Mazzone has welcomed the decision.
"We have long held that the public protector is not a fitting, proper person and certainly should not hold the office of public protector and should be removed
"Our hope is that this disgraceful chapter that was the rule of Advocate Mkhwebane's rule at the once proud Chapter 9 institution will soon come to an end."
