Mkhwebane Ramaphpsa

Public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Image via: Twitter

Parliament says ‘new rules’ allows for removal of public protector

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s assertion that Parliament’s process seeking to remove her from office is ‘unconstitutional and unlawful’, has been rejected.

Mkhwebane Ramaphpsa

Public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Image via: Twitter

Parliament said on Sunday 2 February that there is no legal impediment or grounds for the National Assembly not to proceed with the implementation of the new rules against Mkhwebane.

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise had responded to a letter she received from Mkhwebane, dated January 28, in which she alleged that the rules of the House relating to the process of removing office-bearers of institutions supporting democracy (ISDs), in line with section 194 of the Constitution, were unconstitutional and unlawful.

“Her letter follows the announcement that the speaker will refer the motion tabled by the Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip [ Natasha Mazzone], requesting that Parliament initiate proceedings for the removal of the public protector from office, to an independent panel of experts to conduct a preliminary assessment,” the statement read.

The Assembly rules enjoined the Speaker to determine if a motion submitted in terms of section 194(1) of the Constitution (removal proceedings against office-bearers of ISDs) was compliant with the criteria set out in the rule, and if so, to refer the motion and all supporting documentation to an independent panel.

Motion complies with rules’ form requirements

Modise had confirmed that the substantive motion complied with the form requirements in the rules. The Speaker alone may not unduly obstruct the right of any MP to table a duly compliant motion submitted in line with section 194 of the Constitution.

The determination that the motion complied with the rules did not imply that a decision had been made as to the required prima facie assessment, as the independent panel of experts was yet to be established. Parties had until Friday 7 February, to submit preferred nominees to constitute the panel.

The panel of experts had to conduct and finalise a preliminary assessment, which would include an invitation to the holder of the public office to comment on the substance of the motion, Parliament said.

In terms of the rules of Parliament, the panel:

  • May, in its sole discretion, afford any member an opportunity to place relevant written or recorded information before it within a specific time frame;
  • Must without delay provide the holder of a public office with copies of all information available to the panel relating to the assessment;
  • Must provide the holder of a public office with a reasonable opportunity to respond, in writing, to all relevant allegations against him or her;
  • Must not hold oral hearings and must limit its assessment to the relevant written and recorded information placed before it by members, or by the holder of a public office, in terms of this rule; and
  • Must include in its report any recommendations, including the reasons for such recommendations, as well as any minority view of any panellist.

Once the panel had concluded its business, it had to submit its report of findings and recommendations to the Assembly, which would decide whether or not to proceed with an inquiry through a special committee of MPs.

“The National Assembly and the rules of Parliament safeguard against any risk of abuse of power or unfairness, including the inquiry process outlined in the new rules. Parliament’s processes and the rules adhere to the rules of natural justice, including the audi alteram partem rule, and are informed by the relevant constitutional principles of fairness, transparency, and accountability.

“Accordingly, there exists no legal impediment or grounds for the Assembly not to proceed with the implementation of the new rules,” Parliament said.

African News Agency (ANA), editing by Jacques Keet