Section 194 Inquiry News Today

Besides the over R30 million paid in legal fees for the defence of former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the report shows that at least R8.4 million has been set aside for her end-of-service gratuity.

President Cyril Ramaphosa fired Busisiwe Mkhwebane less than 24 hours after members of Parliament voted for her impeachment on Tuesday.

MPs have gathered at the Cape Town City Hall on Monday afternoon to debate why suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane should be impeached or not.

Parliaments Joint Committee on Ethics and Members Interests cleared Dyantyi of any wrongdoing after Busisiwe Mkhwebane and her husband claimed he tried to solicit a bribe to quash her impeachment inquiry.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the president’s office has explained that his position is that the proceedings have yet to be completed and will only be finalised after the National Assembly votes on whether she should be removed.

Dyantyi, who chaired the inquiry into Mkhwebanes fitness to hold office, said the next public protector needed to be chosen carefully, following the Section 194 inquirys recommendation that she be permanently removed from the role.

The Section 194 inquiry adopted its final report recommending Mkhwebane’s permanent removal despite pleas for leniency by some parties.

Monday marked the deadline for suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to respond to the Section 194 inquiry’s guilty findings.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane failed to respond to the inquiry within the stipulated time because her new lawyers say they need time to brief counsel.

The committee also believes Busisiwe Mkhwebane held secret meetings with the State Security Agency during her ABSA investigation.