Mkhwebane can stay in luxury estate if she pays her own rent
The public protector’s office terminates the Bryntirion estate lease, which was funded with taxpayers’ money
09 November 2022 - 11:10
byTimesLIVE
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane will have to pay rent herself is she wants to continue living in a luxury ministerial estate. File photo. Image: RUVAN BOSHOFF
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has lost her free stay at the Bryntirion ministerial estate in Pretoria, which was funded with taxpayers’ money.
If she wants to continue living there, she can enter into a private lease agreement at her own expense, the public protector’s office says.
In a statement, the institution said it served notice to the public works department last month about its intention to terminate the lease.
“This was done to rectify the obligation of who bears the financial costs of advocate Mkhwebane’s accommodation, in line with the relevant applicable institutional policy, as well as her conditions of service.
“The institution confirms it started looking into this issue before advocate Mkhwebane was placed on suspension, due to media enquiries and reports on the matter. The process to rectify has been fully communicated to advocate Mkhwebane.
“The decision is in line with what was initially intended by the arrangement.”
The public protector’s office stressed: “Advocate Mkhwebane is not being evicted from the residence, as she may continue to occupy the residence, should she elect to do so, in her personal capacity and at her own cost.”
A section 194 enquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office is set to resume on Wednesday, though she has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court challenging the chairperson’s refusal to recuse himself.
The amount spent by the public protector’s office on litigation and legal opinions has led to a public outcry.
The office said in its Tuesday statement it was reviewing its systems, “which include those relating to procurement of legal services”.
“We wish to assure the people of [SA] that we are acting within the parameters of the law in every action being taken. As an institution entrusted with ensuring accountability in state affairs, we, too, remain accountable.”
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to theSunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Mkhwebane can stay in luxury estate if she pays her own rent
The public protector’s office terminates the Bryntirion estate lease, which was funded with taxpayers’ money
Image: RUVAN BOSHOFF
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has lost her free stay at the Bryntirion ministerial estate in Pretoria, which was funded with taxpayers’ money.
If she wants to continue living there, she can enter into a private lease agreement at her own expense, the public protector’s office says.
In a statement, the institution said it served notice to the public works department last month about its intention to terminate the lease.
“This was done to rectify the obligation of who bears the financial costs of advocate Mkhwebane’s accommodation, in line with the relevant applicable institutional policy, as well as her conditions of service.
“The institution confirms it started looking into this issue before advocate Mkhwebane was placed on suspension, due to media enquiries and reports on the matter. The process to rectify has been fully communicated to advocate Mkhwebane.
“The decision is in line with what was initially intended by the arrangement.”
The public protector’s office stressed: “Advocate Mkhwebane is not being evicted from the residence, as she may continue to occupy the residence, should she elect to do so, in her personal capacity and at her own cost.”
A section 194 enquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office is set to resume on Wednesday, though she has filed papers in the Western Cape High Court challenging the chairperson’s refusal to recuse himself.
The amount spent by the public protector’s office on litigation and legal opinions has led to a public outcry.
The office said in its Tuesday statement it was reviewing its systems, “which include those relating to procurement of legal services”.
“We wish to assure the people of [SA] that we are acting within the parameters of the law in every action being taken. As an institution entrusted with ensuring accountability in state affairs, we, too, remain accountable.”
TimesLIVE
Support independent journalism by subscribing to the Sunday Times. Just R20 for the first month.
Mkhwebane loses in the Western Cape High Court — again
Court scuppers Mkhwebane’s latest bid to return to work
Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s affidavit is inaccurate, says deputy public protector
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.
Most Read
Related Articles
POLITICAL WEEK AHEAD: Ekurhuleni due to elect new mayor
Mkhwebane loses in the Western Cape High Court — again
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.