Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) has called on Parliament to urgently restore confidence in the Office of the Public Protector (OPP), in the wake of a series of legal blows against incumbent Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
The courts have recently set aside several reports by Mkhwebane, with judges questioning her credibility, competence and understanding of the law in their rulings.
BLSA said it’s concerned about the rulings and pronouncements by different courts, including the Constitutional Court, that have been scathing of the OPP.
One pronounced Mkhwebane rulings as “nonsensical.”
Some have gone further, stating that she had acted in bad faith, was biased, dishonest, put together several falsehoods, did not understand her constitutional duties, and had lied under oath.
Parliament’s Justice Committee will next month discuss Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip John Steenhuisen’s motion to look into the fitness of Mkhwebane to hold office.
In May, BLSA said that it had lost trust in Mkhwebane and called for her removal, citing her continued lack of objectivity and “egregious character” as problems.
BLSA further accused Mkhwebane of politicking and said her “political shenanigans” were on display.
“These court cases, rulings and pronouncements cannot instil confidence and they send worrying messages to business, investors as well as all South Africans who regard our Constitution highly, as we all should,” added BLSA in their latest statement on Mkhwebane.
The OPP is one of the cornerstones of the country’s constitutional democracy that should be beyond reproach, it said.
