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Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Photo by Leon Sadiki / City Press
- The ANC has called an urgent caucus meeting ahead of the National Assembly vote on an investigation into the fitness of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to serve.
- The party has been openly divided on the issue.
- An investigation would need the support of at least part of the ANC caucus.
The ANC’s parliamentary committee has called a special meeting ahead of the National Assembly vote Tuesday afternoon on whether the legislature should launch an investigation into the fitness of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to serve.
In recent days, divisions among ANC MPs have come to light over whether the party should support such an investigation. This led to reports of an unusual meeting between whip boss Pemmy Majodina and the party’s top six on Monday.
Caucus spokesman Sinetemba Jakavula confirmed Tuesday’s lunch: “There are internal issues to discuss.” But Jakavula did not elaborate.
On Tuesday he denied that Majodina had met with the ANC leadership. The party’s spokesman, Pule Mabe, said he was not aware that a meeting had taken place, but said he would check to see if this was the case.
When approached for comment, Majodina said she was not prepared to speak on the matter.
The last caucus meeting on Thursday, the time scheduled for the party’s weekly caucuses, was longer than usual due to disagreements among MPs on the matter.
READ | ANC MP contradicts party chief’s whip in Mkhwebane vote
Over the weekend, Majodina issued a statement saying that the caucus supported the process to conduct an investigation.
ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule previously said that no “principled” ANC deputy would vote in favor of the investigation, which needs a mere 50 percent plus a majority in the National Assembly.
The ANC has 249 out of 400 seats, so a vote in favor of an investigation would need the support of at least part of the ruling party’s committee.
ANC MPs Mervyn Dirks and Supra Mahumapelo later released letters in which they openly disagreed with Majodina’s weekend statement.
Dirks wrote that the caucus disagreed that Mkhwebane’s impeachment should go ahead and that there were two views.
As an ANC deputy, I will never support a DA motion to remove the Public Protector. In fact, as a matter of principle, I will fight any attempt to remove the Public Protector by anyone.
– Mervyn Dirks (@DirksMervyn) March 5, 2021
He also stated that there was no time during the meeting for everyone to express their views.
In her statement, Majodina said it was premature to conclude whether the vote would be for the retention or removal of the Public Protector.
Analysts said the vote would be a big test for the ANC because an independent panel report, released this month, recommended that an investigation be conducted because there was strong evidence in favor of impeachment.
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