NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 02: Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane during a meeting at the Mpumalanga legislature on March 02, 2017 in Nelspruit, South Africa. Mkhwebane told the Mpumalanga legislature that the investigation into millions spent by the province for Nelson Mandela’s funeral services was done and would form part of a national probe. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu)
DA angered after Public Protector threatens MP with legal action
The DA and their chief whip have been left fuming after threats of legal action from Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – MARCH 02: Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane during a meeting at the Mpumalanga legislature on March 02, 2017 in Nelspruit, South Africa. Mkhwebane told the Mpumalanga legislature that the investigation into millions spent by the province for Nelson Mandela’s funeral services was done and would form part of a national probe. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Sandile Ndlovu)
The Democratic Alliance and its Deputy Cheif Whip Mike Walters have been left fuming after Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane threatened to take legal action against Walters.
Walters said he is disappointed that Mhwebane threatened to take action against him, “the person who reported a minister for lying to Parliament, precisely as she declines to take action against the liar himself.”
“It is profoundly disappointing that the Office of the Public Protector has the time to threaten me with criminal proceedings when not a single person has been charged in connection with State Capture. This despite the extraordinary work done by Adv. Mkhwebane’s predecessor in exposing corruption at the highest level, as detailed in the State of Capture report. Instead, we are witness to near-daily revelations of corruption and looting by the political elite and their criminal associates who operate with complete impunity.”
Walters said Mkhwebane’s priorities are “skewed” and urged her to commit her time and resources to tackling the threat of State Capture. The DA says that if Mkhwebane insists on instituting criminal proceedings, she should consider following up with the relevant authorities on observations from the state of capture report.
“I fear that Adv. Mkhwebane is taking aim at the DA because we were are essentially low-hanging fruit for her. She will not act against the Minister of State Security, David Mahlobo, but is happy to pursue frivolous charges against an MP trying to hold the Executive to account.”
The DA reported Mahlobo for lying to Parliament because “there is a developing trend of members of the Executive misleading the Legislature, as well as concomitant efforts to shield the perpetrators.”
The DA concluded by saying they have been left disappointed by Mkhwebane and her office.
