Neelam Rahim – neelam@radioislam.co.za

3 minute read
14 September 2022
20:00 pm CAT

Outrage after a lawyer for suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Advocate Dali Mpofu SC, threatened the chairperson of parliament’s Section 194 Committee’s impeachment inquiry. Mpofu told ANC MP Qubudile Dyantyi that he would regret his decision to mute him during a virtual meeting yesterday. When Dyantyi asked him whether that was a threat, Mpofu stated it was not a threat but a promise.

Radio Islam International discusses with Public Interest SA’s Tebogo Khaas.

Tebogo’s reaction to Mpofu’s actions yesterday was sad as he stated that it was a tragic day in the history of our democratic constitution.

According to Tebogo, Mpofu is not a member of parliament. The provisions of immunity only apply to the rest of parliament.

He said it is all about conduct, and Mpofu is a member of the legal profession council. It is his regulated sector, and they are codes of conduct by which members of the profession ought to conduct themselves.

“That is one of the areas he ought to answer because he certainly has brought the profession into destitute.”

We have seen Advocate Mpofu interrupting and speaking over the chairperson for weeks. Tebogo said he sympathizes with the Chair because it appears that Mr Mpofu, acting on his client’s behalf, was not inclined to avail themselves of this procedure.

He further stated they have done anything and everything to ensure they avoid consequence management that is appearing before the impeachment inquiry committee.

“Therefore I would imagine every effort would be made to ensure that there is reason to call anality of this process and declare everything null and void.”

If no action is taken against Mpofu, Tebogo said it would leave a lousy precedent anybody can behave in parliament as he has. It also doesn’t order well for the legal profession because the kind of conduct may dissuade aspirant lawyers.

Listen to the interview on Radio Islam’s podcast below.