ADVOCATE Busisiwe Mkhwebane cleared a crucial hurdle on Wednesday night, when an overwhelming majority of the National Assembly gave her the nod to succeed Thuli Madonsela. It is now up to President Jacob Zuma to confirm her as the country’s next public protector. Once that is done, Mkhwebane will begin her seven-year term in two months’ time. Madonsela is due to leave office in October after serving seven years in the role. A total of 263 MPs voted in her favour, 79 said no, and there was one abstention. However, Wednesday’s proceedings in Parliament were not without drama. The DA objected to her candidacy, raising concerns about her links with the country’s intelligence agencies. Among other jobs listed on her CV, Mkhwebane worked in the State Security Agency (SSA). DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said it was important for institutions such as the public protector to be protected from undue political influence. She said it was for that reason, as well as Mkhwebane’s relatively limited e...
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