Public Protector nominee Adv. Mkhwebane fit and proper
6 September 2016
The African National Congress in Parliament will tomorrow, 7 September 2016, vote in support of the appointment of Advocate Busisiwe Joyce Mkhwebane to the position of the Public Protector when the matter is tabled before the sitting of the National Assembly for a decision. The parliamentary ad hoc committee established to nominate a person for appointment as Public Protector has proposed Adv. Mkhwebane to succeed the current incumbent, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, whose 7-year non-renewable term expires on October 2016.
Our principled support for Adv Mkhwebane is based on her excellent credentials which meet all the constitutional and legal requirements for the position. She is a fit and proper person as prescribed by the law, a brilliant legal mind, a highly experienced manager and has displayed remarkable depth and understanding of the issues pertaining to the office of the Public Protector during the ad hoc committee interviews.
The ANC went into the parliamentary selection process with no preferred candidate(s), with an open mind and ready to afford every candidate a fair and equal opportunity to prove to the nation their fitness for the office. We worked cooperatively with all the parties, guarded against narrow political interest and uncompromisingly endeavoured for a fit and proper person who will inspire the confidence and trust of the people. Adv Mkhwebane’s outstanding presentation during the ad hoc committee interviews not only won over the ANC and the majority of parties in Parliament, but it also impressed many South Africans who observed the open and transparent selection process.
The DA’s opposition to Adv. Mkhwebane’s candidacy is not only perplexing, irrational and constitutionally baseless, but it also runs counter to the popular view expressed by the public on various platforms. It is unfortunate that while all other parties approached the selection process in good faith, the DA went into the ad hoc committee with a narrow political agenda to advance a predetermined conclusion. With this process having been open and transparent throughout, the DA will find it difficult to pull the wool over the public’s eyes with its fabricated reasons for opposing the appointment of a capable, fit and proper African woman as the Public Protector. It is baffling that the DA would cast aspersions on Adv. Mkhwebane merely because she worked for an official state institution, the State Security Agency, where she served without any controversy or violation of the law.
It is clear that the DA’s opposition has more to do with narrow political preferences than Adv. Mkhwebane’s qualification for office of the public protector. It is unfortunate that while on one hand parties rose above petty politics to guard the integrity of the Public Protector’s office, the DA on the other hand is seeking to blemish it with absurd political reasons. The nation expects better from the official opposition.
Issued by Moloto Mothapo on behalf of the Office of The ANC Chief Whip, 6 September 2016
