Johnathan Paoli
The ATM has requested the Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula consider adopting a secret ballot approach for the scheduled vote on the removal of suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane from office.
The Section 194 Committee recently adopted a final report in which Mkhwebane had been found guilty on all four charges of misconduct and incompetence following an inquiry into her fitness to hold office and recommended her removal.
The report is now pending final approval from the National Assembly, which is set to debate and vote on the matter at the Cape Town City Hall next week.
In a programming committee meeting on Thursday, Secretary to the National Assembly, Masibulele Xaso told MPs that 11 September has been selected as the day to debate and vote on Mkhwebane’s impeachment.
The Ad Hoc Report recommending the appointment of Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as the new PP, will be considered later on 21 September.
ATM Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona, said the party wants Parliament to vote in secret on whether or not to permanently remove the suspended PP from office.
ATM said due to the alleged political motivation around Mkhwebane’s prosecution, an open vote would facilitate a possible atmosphere of coercion, in which members would vote according to their respective party lines.
“We are seeing a strange phenomenon where members of parliament are taking directives elsewhere and not from the prescripts of law and the constitution… this undermines the integrity of members or parliament,” Ntshona said.
Party leader Vuyo Zungula said the predetermined outcome was an open secret since the inquiry was initiated from an original complaint laid against the Public Protector by the DA, with the backing of the ANC and FF+.
Zungula said that the inappropriate nature of the whole process was illustrated by the manner in which members who voted in favour of the removal motion at committee level will again predictably and openly add their voters in the NA, undermining the integrity of the process in the eyes of the public.
The party has been among a small group of movements, including the EFF, that have supported Mlhwebane throughout the inquiry.
Earlier last month, the red berets challenged the inquiry report, describing it as “hurried” and “frivolous” and hinting towards possible legal action.
EFF MP Omphile Maotwe said due to Mkhwebane having no legal representation during certain phases of the inquiry, the party had been left with no choice but to challenge the report.
The EFF has accused the parliamentary inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office of being a “witch hunt” and a “political process” that seeks to punish her for exposing corruption.
Former ANC Stalwart and founder of the African Radical Economic Transformation (ARET), Carl Niehaus has called on those ANC MPs who consider themselves progressive to vote with their conscience against the impeachment next week.
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