Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Suspended Public Protector, Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane responds to media questions during a press briefing where she released reports on various investigations on June 19, 2017 in Pretoria, South Africa.
AFP PHOTO/PHILL MAGAKOE

ANC extortion allegations: Speaker declines meeting with suspended public protector

The Speaker advised Mkhwebane to file a complaint with the Ethics Committee to address the corruption allegations.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Suspended Public Protector, Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane responds to media questions during a press briefing where she released reports on various investigations on June 19, 2017 in Pretoria, South Africa.
AFP PHOTO/PHILL MAGAKOE

Parliament Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula declined to meet suspended Public Protect Advocate Busiswe Mkhwebane over allegations that members of the ANC attempted to extort her.

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ANC Members Accused of Attempted Extortion in Public Protector Investigation

The Speaker advised Mkhwebane to formally complain to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests over alleged corruption in the Section 194 Committee investigation into her eligibility to hold office.

Over the weekend, reports emerged that alleged three high-profile ANC members of the committee, including Chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi, attempted to extort money from Mkhwebane to make the investigation go away. ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina and Tina Joemat-Pettersson eeee also implicated.

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The allegations were denied, and there were threats of legal action, per EWN. A case has been opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS), per SABC News.

Parliament Speaker Directs Public Protector to File Complaint with Ethics Committee

On Sunday, 28 May, the Speaker said Mkhwebane requested to meet and discuss the allegations and get advice “on how Parliament might proceed with an investigation.”

“As the allegations concern the conduct of Members of Parliament, the appropriate course of action would be for Adv. Mkhwebane to file a complaint with the Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests, through the Office of the Registrar, which is governed by the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests for Assembly and Permanent Council Members,” said Mapisa-Nqakula in a statement.

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Parliament said it was imperative that Mapisa-Nqakula remain impartial throughout the process.

On Sunday, ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the governing party would take action if the allegations were proven.

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