Accusations fly after Mkhwebane’s return to work blocked
Mkhwebane takes aim at acting public protector Gcaleka after being refused entry to her former office
06 September 2023 - 17:36
bySinesipho Schrieber
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.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane is shown during a media briefing in Sandton in this June 13 2023 file photo. Picture: LUBABALO LESOLLE/GALLO IMAGES
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who planned to return to work on Tuesday, blamed her deputy, Kholeka Gcaleka, after being refused entry to the public protector’s office.
Mkhwebane stood outside the Hillcrest Office Park and addressed the media instead of entering the office as planned.
In a statement issued on the eve of her planned return to the office, public protector spokesperson Ndili Msoki said Mkhwebane’s suspension remained in effect. She could not return until President Cyril Ramaphosa, who suspended her last year, advised otherwise, Msoki said.
Mkhwebane said she did not enter the premises as her protection unit had been suspended for the day and criticised Gcaleka for the office’s pushback.
“They should have kept quiet. I think the deputy public protector [Gcaleka] exposed herself. She has also exposed what I was saying, that [it is] as if she is working with these persecutors. She should have allowed the president to deal with this matter,” she told journalists.
Mkhwebane believes the public protector’s office should have no say regarding her plans to return to work, while the National Assembly is expected to vote next week on parliament’s section 194 inquiry report which recommended her removal after probing her fitness to hold office.
Mkhwebane echoed the accusations of opposition political parties that Gcaleka was Ramaphosa’s “protector”.
“It is so embarrassing as it shows ... she is what she is accused of — being a president’s protector. The president said I am suspended with full benefits, protection and all allowances, and everything.
“Now she comes back and says I am not an employee. Indeed, I am accountable to parliament, but this institution, I am its executive authority. I think she should have just kept quiet and not said anything, and not entertained all of this.”
During former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure, Mkhwebane was also accused of being a “president’s protector”.
In 2017 the SA Reserve Bank accused her of meeting members of Zuma’s office and the State Security Agency before she released a report on missing apartheid funds.
Despite declining to comment on Gcaleka’s nomination for the role of public protector, Mkhwebane said the majority of MPs would vote for her.
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.
Accusations fly after Mkhwebane’s return to work blocked
Mkhwebane takes aim at acting public protector Gcaleka after being refused entry to her former office
Suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who planned to return to work on Tuesday, blamed her deputy, Kholeka Gcaleka, after being refused entry to the public protector’s office.
Mkhwebane stood outside the Hillcrest Office Park and addressed the media instead of entering the office as planned.
In a statement issued on the eve of her planned return to the office, public protector spokesperson Ndili Msoki said Mkhwebane’s suspension remained in effect. She could not return until President Cyril Ramaphosa, who suspended her last year, advised otherwise, Msoki said.
Mkhwebane said she did not enter the premises as her protection unit had been suspended for the day and criticised Gcaleka for the office’s pushback.
“They should have kept quiet. I think the deputy public protector [Gcaleka] exposed herself. She has also exposed what I was saying, that [it is] as if she is working with these persecutors. She should have allowed the president to deal with this matter,” she told journalists.
Mkhwebane believes the public protector’s office should have no say regarding her plans to return to work, while the National Assembly is expected to vote next week on parliament’s section 194 inquiry report which recommended her removal after probing her fitness to hold office.
Mkhwebane echoed the accusations of opposition political parties that Gcaleka was Ramaphosa’s “protector”.
“It is so embarrassing as it shows ... she is what she is accused of — being a president’s protector. The president said I am suspended with full benefits, protection and all allowances, and everything.
“Now she comes back and says I am not an employee. Indeed, I am accountable to parliament, but this institution, I am its executive authority. I think she should have just kept quiet and not said anything, and not entertained all of this.”
During former president Jacob Zuma’s tenure, Mkhwebane was also accused of being a “president’s protector”.
In 2017 the SA Reserve Bank accused her of meeting members of Zuma’s office and the State Security Agency before she released a report on missing apartheid funds.
Despite declining to comment on Gcaleka’s nomination for the role of public protector, Mkhwebane said the majority of MPs would vote for her.
TimesLIVE
National Assembly votes on public protector’s fate
‘Mkhwebane’s intention to return to work is misconceived’: Ramaphosa
Busisiwe Mkhwebane cannot return to work until president says so, protector’s office says
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
Busisiwe Mkhwebane cannot return to work until president says so, protector’s ...
‘Mkhwebane’s intention to return to work is misconceived’: Ramaphosa
National Assembly votes on public protector’s fate
DA calls for reopening of public protector applications
Gcaleka has foot in the door to replace Mkhwebane as public protector
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.