Umamah Bakharia | ub@radioislam.co.za

9min read
21 September 2022 | 09:30am CAT

Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkwebane says she is not giving up just yet, as she faces a parliamentary inquiry into her fitness to hold office.

This comes as the Western Cape High court ruled that President Cyril Ramaphosa had been conflicted when he decided to suspend her. The DA and Ramaphosa have appealed this ruling.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Mkwebane says she believes there is a conspiracy against her by powerful people who do not want to account for their wrongdoings.

“Sometimes if you intend to assist the poor, the marginalised and [want to protect] them from the most powerful, then you are not the person to be treated fairly because that’s all that I am doing, but I think I wouldn’t just give up, I will continue doing what I think is best for everyone,” says Mkwebane.

Even though political parties and critics have come out to say that Mkwebane is targeting the president, she says she received a complaint and began an investigation according to the legal framework.

“There is this narration that its as if I am fighting the president and people forget that complaints are lodged by your DA and other opposition parties and other individuals, and the only thing I did, or my crime is to investigate – honestly so, find evidence which is proving that there is maladministration or that there are malfunctions which prove that the president also has to account to,” she says.

Commenting on allegations made by her staff of her “bullying” leadership, Mkhebane denies any such actions where staff alleged that they bowed to her adding that her focus is protecting the public.

“So going back to the office, my focus is the public – we should continue doing the work, we should continue to protect the public, why must we turn this enquiry into a CCMA, that terribly embarrassing for even the parliamentarians [that do] not want to make sure that there is consequence management,” says Mkwebane.

Meanwhile, Mkhwebane’s legal representation will on Wednesday move for the recusal of the chairperson of her impeachment inquiry, Richard Dyantyi. She has claimed unfairness and bias.

The Section 194 inquiry is set to resume on Wednesday after a week-long break, while Mkhwebane will approach the Western Cape High Court on Friday to clarify matters related to her suspension.

Listen to the full interview here: