Mkhwebane didn’t want staff to call her madam – witness
‘To associate her with incompetence a concern’
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was not a workplace bully, as suggested by other staffers in her office who testified before parliaand ment’s section 194 inquiry into her fitness to hold office, Western Cape public protector Muloa Lamula told the committee yesterday.
He said she could be “harsh” and at times “irritated” when people did not do their work – but this was because she was results-driven, proved by her reducing backlogs and achieving three clean audits.
“But I never heard her being rude ... the tone of her voice is always the same,” Lamula said, disputing previous evidence that she insisted on being called “madam” and wanted to be worshipped.
Lamula previously worked with Mkhwebane at the department of home affairs and, before joining the public protector’s office initially as an investigator, worked for the Public Service Commission.
The basis of this evidence is a charge of misconduct and incompetence and that she victimised, intimidated and harassed staff and relentlessly issued disciplinary letters.
“I am of the firm view that some of the evidence has grossly misrepresented the true situation at the office, the nature and purpose of the relevant meetings and intentions objectives of the public protector,” Lamula said.
“I do agree with what all employee witnesses have confirmed – that she is a leader who is dedicated to her job, is highly driven and hardworking. She leads by example and is highly focused on delivering services to all members of the public, especially the downtrodden.”
Regarding evidence presented that Mkhwebane had been “harsh” on a sickly employee, who subsequently died, Lamula said he had lodged a grievance against the deceased for calling him a “cockroach”.
The alleged offender had been issued with a warning rather than subjected to a disciplinary hearing and possible dismissal.
“I was aggrieved. I felt she had been lenient. But there was humility and mercy in her decision ... but I accepted it. It is not true that she picked on him,” Lamula said.
“Like all human beings, she has her shortcomings – but she has done excellent service to the people of SA. To even associate her with alleged incompetence is a grave concern ... she should be wrapping up her work, not where we are now.
The inquiry will resume on Monday