Mkhwebane should concentrate on her own reputation

21 October 2016

The new Public Protector (PP), Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s comments about a donation of USAID which Adv. Thuli Madonsela had accepted, is regrettable as it could create the impression that she wants to cast suspicions on her predecessor, Dr. Corné Mulder, the chief whip of the FF Plus, says.

He says Mkhwebane must realise she has big shoes to fill, and she should rather concentrate on the work of her office and build her own reputation to gain the trust of the public.

“From Madonsela’s reply, it appears to be clear that the PP’s office does not receive the donation directly, but that it goes to government which then allocates it. It also, unfortunately, shows a lack of knowledge on the side of Mkhwebane about the procedure involving donations.

“Mkhwebane must realise that the public of South Africa has a lot of trust in the office of the PP. She will have to work hard to retain this, as it is one of the few institutions for the protection of the country’s democracy in which the public has faith.

“If the trust is damaged, it will be very difficult to regain it,” Dr. Mulder says.

Issued by Corné Mulder, FF Plus Chief Whip, 21 October 2016