President Ramaphosa suspends Busisiwe Mkhwebane
JOHANNESBURG – President Cyril Ramaphosa suspends Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane with immediate effect. In a statement, the Presidency said Mkhwebane would remain suspended until the section 194 process in the National Assembly has been completed.
Ramaphosa says Mkhwebane will remain suspended until the National Assembly makes a decision on her impeachment.
“President Ramaphosa has fulfilled his obligation to provide advocate Mkhwebane a fair hearing by according her sufficient time and opportunity to make submissions,” the statement said.
“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.
Meanwhile, in a last-ditch effort to stop the impeachment process against her, Mkhwebane approached the African Commission on Human and People Rights, accusing the Republic of South Africa of violating her rights by seeking to remove her from office.
She said South Africa had violated her rights under articles 7(1) and 26 of the African Charter, which relate to the right of an individual to have their case heard and the duty of the state to guarantee the independence of the courts.