Ramaphosa suspends Mkhwebane amid impeachment inquiry
President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane pending the outcome of the parliamentary process to determine her fitness to hold office.
The suspension takes effect immediately.
On Thursday, Ramaphosa issued a statement confirming the decision.
The suspension comes almost two weeks after Mkhwebane made submissions to Ramaphosa on why she should not be suspended.
But Mkhwebane’s fightback appears to have been in vein.
“President Ramaphosa has fulfilled his obligation to provide Advocate Mkhwebane a fair hearing by according her sufficient time and opportunity to make submissions,” said the Presidency’s spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
“In considering each element of the public protector’s submissions carefully, the president has taken into account the nature of the public protector’s office and his own constitutional obligations.”
Deputy Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka will take over Mkhwebane’s duties in the interim.
“The absence of Advocate Mkhwebane from office will therefore not impede the progress of any investigations that are pending or underway,” Magwenya added.
Ramaphosa’s decision comes amid a long-standing tussle between the pair.
Mkhwebane’s office also recently launched an investigation into the theft of foreign currency from Ramaphosa’s private farm in Limpopo.
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