DA launches fresh move to dislodge protector

THE DA has launched a fresh parliamentary motion to remove advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as the country’s public protector.

The new motion means that all political parties have to submit fresh names (if they choose to change their previous names) to Parliament Speaker, Thandi Modise. The people will make up a panel that will look at the matter. That is if Modise is satisfied that the fresh motion meets the required standards to proceed.

Announcing the fresh motion, parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapho said the withdrawal of the DA’s motion, tabled in December 2019, means that the attendant process that subsequently ensued, fell away.

“Before the withdrawal of the earlier motion, the Speaker was in the process of selecting qualified persons to serve on the panel and was due to announce their names by the end of this month. The Speaker will now apply her mind to the new motion, to determine if it meets the requirements in the rules of the Assembly, and make a fresh decision,” Mothapo said.

In the fresh motion lodged on Friday, Mkhwebane was accused of misconduct in the Reserve Bank matter and Vrede Farm investigation. It also said she victimised former staff members, like former chief operating officer Basani Baloyi.

Mkhwebane’s spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, when asked if she was aware of the fresh motion, said the matter was being challenged in court.

“The matter is before court, where the PP is challenging the lawfulness and constitutionality of the rules,” Segalwe said.

It remains to be seen whether the motion would, should it be tabled, succeed considering that the EFF – with 53 MPs – has already said it would oppose it. Joining them are some ANC MPs who have also broken ranks with their party to support Mkhwebane.