CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen speaks during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 14: Democratic Alliance Chief Whip John Steenhuisen speaks during the 2017 State of the Nation Address (SONA) debate at the National Assembly on February 14, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. Political parties debated President Jacob Zuma’s SONA which was marred by chaos, violence and insults. (Photo by Gallo Images / Beeld / Jaco Marais)
DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen has called for the removal of the current Public Protector, claiming that Busisiwe Mkhwebane is unfit for office.
Mkhwebane raised eyebrows yesterday when she recommended remedial action should be taken against Helen Zille, following her tweets about colonialism.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane vs Helen Zille
The decision came as a surprise, considering the Western Cape premier has already been formally charged over the incident. This is how Mkhwebane delivered the news:
“The Speaker of the WC provincial legislature must (within 30 days from the date of this report) table the report before the WC provincial legislature ‘for it to take appropriate action to hold the premier accountable as contemplated’ in the Constitution.”
Her decision caused confusion more than anything else. Professor Pierre de Vos is a constitutional law expert. He wrote in his blog about Mkhwebane’s “truly bizarre and irrational” decision, criticising her thought process:
“The Public Protector might have thought (and this would also be an impeachable offence) that if she found against Zille – regardless of what the law actually says – she would gain some popularity, given the fact that Zille’s tweets were so inflammatory.”
“But in doing so, she has further damaged her own credibility and has again acted in a manner that suggests she lacks even basic knowledge of the law.”
John Steenhuisen to take Public Protector to task
We suggest you read de Vos’ full take on things here. Comparing her legal analysis to that of AfirForum’s B team is a particular highlight.
Zille’s DA comrades were also left perplexed by Monday’s events. The party will now have their chance to vent, though.
Parliament informed John Steenhuisen that his request for a hearing into Mkhwebane’s fitness for office will be heard on Wednesday 13 June at midday.
Always good value-for-money in these situations, Steenhuisen will look to eviscerate the Public Protector’s record and, in his eyes, hold her to account for continued unprofessionalism. We’re all expecting fireworks, here.
I have been informed today that my request for an inquiry into the fitness of the Public Protector to hold office will be heard by the Justice and Correctional services portfolio committee on Wednesday this week at 12:00 ???????? pic.twitter.com/JbQq98bX2Y
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) June 11, 2018
(The “2015” date featured in the tweet is a typo. It should read “2018”.)
