Don’t prejudge Busisiwe
Mkhwebane’s ability
PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma will probably choose Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as our next public protector.
It is morally and ethically unwise to prejudge her ability to execute the functions of this institution without fear or favour. She has the potential to emulate outgoing public protector Thuli Madonsela, the most fearless person in South Africa.
There is a sad but common misconception in our society that time and energy contributed to others is time and energy lost.
Rare is the individual with the proper perspective to recognise that we may give without losing and that it is often in giving that we gain. Mkhwebane is such an individual.
Many know her for her fairness, judicial restraint, and eloquent and influential opinions. The nation should always be grateful for her integrity and absolute probity and for her contributions to our law and dignity of our legal system.
As an advocate she gave years of inspirational service to our nation. She is a caring person and a model of civility. She is a woman of outstanding intelligence, talent and integrity.
The office of public protector stands as an arbiter in holding the balance between individuals and between the state and the individual, and should not have the slightest hesitation to strike down or condemn any statutory shelter for bureaucratic discrimination, any legislative refuge for the exercise of naked arbitrary power in violation of any of the provisions of the constitution.
The public protector is independent of the executive and parliament.
No member of any government department has any right whatsoever to direct or influence the decision of the public protector. It is the knowledge of this that gives the public confidence in our judicial officers. They should not be politically beholden to any government.
What we need to do now is to seriously strive for fearless officers who will re-instil public confidence in our judiciary. I wish Busisiwe Mkhwebane a successful tenure as our next public protector. Actonville, Johannesburg