ANC supports investigation into Mkhwebane’s fitness for office

• The ANC caucus in Parliament supports the inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness for office.
• The party has resolved that only the head of whips will be able to make public statements on the matter.
• Parliamentarians will vote next week on whether to start the investigation.

The ANC caucus in Parliament says it supports the process to set up an inquiry to determine whether Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is fit to serve.

In a statement Saturday, ANC chief Pemmy Majodina said the caucus decided to support the establishment of the investigation.

However, Majodina added that it was too early for the party to decide whether to vote for or against his removal.

READ | Panel finds prima facie evidence of Mkhwebane’s ‘incompetence and misconduct’

“Caucus held an extensive discussion on the matter and resolved to support the process. It recognized that we are in a process and, at this time, we are not dealing with the merits or demerits of the case. Therefore, the questions of the vote cannot arise In this stage.”

He said that according to their internal agreements, individual party members cannot make public statements on the motion against Mkhwebane.

Only Majodina can make public statements on behalf of the party.

Members of the ANC, such as Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula, have made public statements against Mkhwebane and, in a tweet, also referred to her as a “hired gun”.

Earlier this week, Mbalula apologized to Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma after referring to her as “Zuma’s wife” during a Twitter crash.

Mkhwebane has opened an insult crime case against Mbalula.

The Mkhwebane investigation comes after a panel of experts, led by retired Constitutional Court Judge Bess Nkabinde, ruled that Parliament should launch an investigation into his fitness for office.

READ | Mbalula’s tirade on Twitter: Mkhwebane opens slander crime case against Transport Minister

Nkabinde and defenders Dumisa Ntsebeza and Johan de Waal found that there was prima facie evidence of incompetence and misconduct on Mkhwebane’s part.

The Chapter 9 rules on the removal of heads of institutions state that, after receiving a report from an independent panel, Parliament must decide whether to carry out an investigation or not.

The vote on conducting an investigation will take place on Tuesday, March 16.

Majodina said the investigation will be conducted fairly, and will give Mkhwebane “the opportunity to clear his name and respond to the broad allegations attributed by the prosecutor’s motion.”

“At this stage, the ANC caucus is very clear … it will be premature to conclude whether to vote in favor of the retention or against the removal of the Public Protector.”