Busisiwe Mkhwebane is the new public protector; we should be cheering
South Africa has known since early September who the new public protector will be and today advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane was officially appointed by President Jacob Zuma.
The Presidency announced in a statement that the appointment, for a period of seven years with effect from October 15, was made in terms of section 193(4) of the Constitution, and on the recommendation of the National Assembly.
Mkhwebane was selected from more 60 candidates nominated by South Africans. They included judges Siraj Desai and Sharise Weiner, Professor Bongani Majola, and advocate Muvhango Lukhaimane.
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Her candidacy was endorsed with an overwhelming 263 votes during a debate in the National Assembly on September 7. A total of 79 MPs voted against it, while one MP abstained.
Only the Democratic Alliance opposed her nomination and accused her of being a spy on the State Security Agency’s payroll.
Zuma thanked outgoing public protector Thuli Madonsela..
He is expected to meet Madonsela later today to answer her questions about the Gupta family’s alleged influence on Cabinet decisions.
Madonsela started her probe into allegations of “state capture” in March, after the Catholic Dominican Order asked her to investigate.
Her questions will specifically be about allegations that the Gupta family offered Cabinet jobs and Zuma’s close relationship with the Guptas.
She hopes to conclude her preliminary report before leaving office on October 14. She had said she was in a race against time. – News24