Mkhwebane Ramaphpsa

Public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Image via: Twitter

Public Protector facing R350 000 lawsuit for “assault” of a complainant

It’s happening again. The Public Protector is facing a new legal battle, after Nchaube Peter Seabi made an extraordinary claim against the office.

Mkhwebane Ramaphpsa

Public protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. Image via: Twitter

Thanks to Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the office of the Public Protector has been engaged in more courtroom battles than a fully-booked divorce lawyer. However, the institution is facing another serious legal claim, as a Limpopo resident has filed charges against them for assault.

Why is the Public Protector now facing assault charges?

The Sunday Times report that Nchaube Peter Seabi says he was assaulted by Hamilton Samuel, at the time the Limpopo provincial head of the public protector’s office, during an altercation in 2011. Samuel has since been taken to court and defeated by the complainant, but it seems things are escalating even further.

The man who claims to have been roughed-up now wants the actual office of the PP – and not just its representative – to face the full might of the law. Samuel himself has been relocated to Free State, after he was convicted for common assault after the incident was reported.

What this case could end up costing the office of Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Oupa Segalwe is the spokesperson for Busisiwe Mkhwebane. He revealed to the publication that the NPA has turned down the opportunity to investigate these claims. This has lead to Seabi seeking damages of up to R350 000 from the Public Protector’s office – a reinstated claim that Mkhwebane and co will oppose.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane hasn’t had a great 2019

To call this a bad year for the Public Protector would be the largest understatement possible. Busisiwe Mkhwebane has had several painful defeats inflicted upon her through the judiciary, after taking on fights against Cyril Ramaphosa, Pravin Gordhan and the Democratic Alliance (DA).

Her competency has been strictly questioned, and she’s facing the prospect of a motion of no confidence as Parliamentary business resumes in September. Her public battle with the president has split the nation – some are praising her bravery, others are doubting her ability to present a coherent legal argument.

She has the backing of the EFF, but sympathy from the rest of the National Assembly is in short supply. These fresh assault charges will do nothing to ease the pressure on Mkhwebane, as she continues to cling on to her seat in office despite the rising tide of doubters and verbose criticism.