THE Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has opened a case of contempt against the embattled Health Minister Zweli Mkhize in Pretoria, her office confirmed to Inside Politics on Friday.
“I can confirm that a case of contempt has been opened in Pretoria [against the Health Minister]. We don’t have the case number as yet, but we were told it will be sent to us once it has been captured in the SAPS systems,” spokesperson Oupa Segalwe told Inside Politics.
The Office of the Public Protector said Mkhize failed to honour subpoena notices served on him three times.
The matter relates to a complaint by clinical associate and the general secretary of The Professional Association of Clinical Associates of South Africa, Sanele Ngcobo.
“When we issue a subpoena against a state functionary our aim is not to be antagonistic. Sometimes you want to finalize the matter. The matter was lodged in 2019. He gave us excuses for failing to meet. He postponed several times – due to bearevements in the Royal Family and in his family. But then few weeks ago his office told us he won’t come to the Public Protector. We then informed him we were going to open a criminal case,” said Mkhwebane in an interview with eNCA.
In a statement on Thursday, Mkhwebane explained that unlike an ordinary investigation meeting request, a subpoena carried with it legal implications and that, absent just cause, witnesses were obliged to comply with its provisions or face legal consequences.
“It is critical for state functionaries to understand that compliance with our investigations is not optional. No less than the Constitution of the republic enjoins other organs of state to support and assist the public protector to ensure the institution’s independence, impartiality, dignity and effectiveness,” she said.
- Inside Politics
