Advocates question Mkhwebane's motives in Bankorp report debacle
Advocates suggest Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was negligent in the Absa-Bankorp investigation
Advocates for the finance minister, the Reserve Bank and Absa delivered blistering attacks on Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s Absa-Bankorp report in the High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday, raising serious doubt about her motives. The importance of the public protector in SA’s constitutional democracy necessitated that she "not misuse the powers afforded her" and complied with requirements of legal fairness, "at the heart of which is rationality", said Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, counsel for Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba. "In order to be rational, a decision must be based on accurate findings of fact and correct application of the law." In papers, Gigaba, the Bank and Absa have repeatedly asserted that Mkhwebane’s findings paid no regard to the evidence before her, including the findings of previous probes into the Absa-Bankorp lifeboat and submissions made by various parties on the matter. The arguments presented by the applicants on Tuesday suggest that, at best, Mkhwebane has been ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.