Unthinkable damage done to this important institution

OUTA has campaigned since June 2019 for the removal of the now suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. In light of the various court findings against her, we laid a criminal complaint against her and petitioned Parliament for an inquiry into Mkhwebane’s conduct and competence. We are following the current impeachment hearing before the National Assembly's Section 194 Committee with interest.  While OUTA is of the opinion that her removal took far too long (since her term ends in October 23), we are satisfied that the rules regarding Chapter 9 institutions are followed. 

Adv Stefanie Fick, the Executive Director of the Accountability Division, emphasises that this is of the utmost importance for accountability and good governance – especially when it comes to the removal of the government official that is supposed to protect the public against government abuse.  “It is regrettable that the process took so long – another case where Parliament failed ordinary South Africans – since Mkhwebane did unthinkable damage to a Chapter 9 institution. Now we can only hope that the impeachment process will convince two thirds of Parliament to approve her removal,” Fick said.   Read more here about this project here.