Public Protector denies 'unlawful' investigation into Ramaphosa
The Public Protector's office has lashed back at claims that Busisiwe Mkhwebane unlawfully obtained certain documents, including bank statements, during her investigation into the CR17 campaign.
On Friday, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s legal team requested the Gauteng high court to seal certain information contained in the record of the public protector’s report on Bosasa.
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Mkhwebane found that Ramaphosa misled Parliament in his response to a question about a R500,000 donation from Bosasa CEO Gavin Watson for his campaign to become ANC president.
The public protector's spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe says the investigation was above board.
"She acted within the law. She always acts within the law. I don't understand why anyone would suggest that the public protector is conducting investigations above the law whereas the Public Protector act is clear," says Segalwe.
He adds that the bank statements in question were obtained through subpoenas.
"She subpoenaed documents from some of the banks and then one of the banks, that is Absa, did not respond to her subpoena but she got her information elsewhere form the financial intelligence centre," says Segalwe.
Ramaphosa and Mkhwebane are locked in a legal dispute over her findings in the report.
Mkhwebane is expected to file the evidence used in the investigation by Thursday.