Mkhwebane must clarify if she will oppose the President’s court application

28 November 2016

It is still unclear whether the Public Protector, Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane will oppose President Zuma’s application to take the State of Capture Report on judicial review, which he announced on Friday.

The Democratic Alliance believes that it is Adv. Mkwhebane’s duty to protect the integrity of the office of the Public Protector, and as such, it is her duty to defend the remedial action recommended in the State of Capture Report in court by opposing the judicial review application.

While this report was compiled by Adv. Mkhwebane’s predecessor, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, it should not be viewed as a report by an individual but a report by a Chapter Nine institution.

Several actions taken by Mkhwebane since she began her role as Public Protector have been questionable, and indeed have indicated an inclination towards defending Jacob Zuma rather than acting in the interests of South Africa.

The capture of vital state institutions is a critical issue in South Africa and it is of utmost importance that those implicated, first and foremost, Jacob Zuma, be held to account.

Opposing this application is a prime opportunity for the new Public Protector to show where her allegiances lie – with Jacob Zuma or with the office of the Public Protector and the South African people.

The Democratic Alliance will continue to fight against the capture of South Africa’s institutions by President Zuma and his Gupta mafia – we will defend the State of CaptureReport in court, with or without Adv. Mkhwebane.

Issued by James Selfe, Chairperson of the DA's Federal Executive, 28 November 2016