Busisiwe Mkhwebane: Removal bid approved – how long does she have left?

Parliament moved one step closer to ousting Busisiwe Mkhwebane from her role as Public Protector this week, as House Speaker Thandi Modise gave the green-light to the next step of removal proceedings. The official and her office have confirmed that a panel will be appointed to determine the PP’s future.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane latest: Plot to remove her moves forward

In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the National Assembly confirmed that three experts would be nominated to make a final decision on this matter:

“The three-member panel must be fit and proper South Africans who, collectively, have the legal and other skills and experience to conduct a preliminary assessment of the motion, proposing a section 194 inquiry.”

“Section 194 of the constitution and the National Assembly’s rules allow any member of the National Assembly to submit a substantive motion to initiate a procedure to remove the holder of a public office.”

Statement from Parliament

How long does Busisiwe Mkhwebane have left in office?

Parliament also set out a relatively sketchy timeline of events. By the end of next week, all political parties elected to the house will see the deadline to nominate their panel candidates close. From there, it’s down to Thandi Modise as to when the next phase takes place. We’ve got a rough guide on how long Busisiwe Mkhwebane could last before she’s given the boot here:

• Parties have until 6 March to submit their chosen panel candidates to Speaker Thandi Modise.
• Within 30 days of its appointment, the panel has to conduct and finalise its preliminary assessment.
• At the end of the assesment, the panel will come to a decision on whether or not Busisiwe Mkhwebane must be removed from office. We could have a ruling on her future by, at the earliest, the end of April.
• Should she ride every storm that comes her way, the PP’s fixed term runs until 2023.

“Public Protector must be fit and proper”

Elsewhere, Natasha Mazzone – the DA chief whip who brought this motion to Parliament – is thrilled with the progres that’s been made. She says that getting rid of Busisiwe Mkhwebane “is of utmost importance”.

“The DA believes that it is of the utmost importance and in the interests of justice and the rule of law that the position of Public Protector is filled by a person who is indisputably fit and proper. Busisiwe Mkhwebane is guilty of misconduct and incompetence on several charges including the SARB and Estina Dairy Farm probes.”

“To put the best possible case before the independent panel that will evaluate whether or not grounds for removal exist, we submitted a fresh motion last week, and we are happy that the process continues without delay. The DA will put forward candidates for the independent panel.”

Natasha Mazzone