President Cyril Ramaphosa has given South Africa’s Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane 10 days to explain why she should not be suspended from office following accusations that she has abused her role as the country’s Ombudsman, the presidency has announced.
The Speaker of the National Assembly, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, informed Ramaphosa this week that the House was ready to resume impeachment proceedings against the Public Protector to assess her fitness to hold office.
This followed a recent Constitutional Court ruling which paved the way for the proceedings in parliament to continue after they had earlier been stopped by the Ombudsman when she challenged the process in court, Mapisa-Nqakula said.
The Constitution empowers the President to suspend the Public Protector, pending the outcome of the process in parliament, according to the Speaker.
Responding to the president’s notice, Mkhwebane said she needed to consult her lawyers on Friday before making further comments.
The Public Protector’s spokesperson Oupa Segalwe confirmed that Mkhwebane had received the letter from Ramaphosa.
“The Public Protector will on Friday request a copy of the letter from the President in order for her and her lawyers to respond accordingly,” Segalwe said.
Mkhwebane, who was appointed by former president Jacob Zuma, succeeded Thuli Madonsela following the end of her contract some years ago.
NM/jn/APA