Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the suspended Public Protector of South Africa, has been impeached by the National Assembly.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane impeached: Here’s how every party voted
The vote, which marked the end of an unprecedented impeachment inquiry, saw 318 Members of Parliament (MPs) voting in favour of her impeachment, while 43 voted against it, with one abstention.
Mkhwebane faced impeachment due to allegations of misconduct and incompetence during her tenure as Public Protector. The process began in July 2022 after numerous legal challenges from Mkhwebane.
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During the impeachment inquiry, which spanned over a year, opposition parties such as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African Transformation Movement (ATM), and United Democratic Movement (UDM) had initially opposed Mkhwebane’s removal from office.
However, they were later joined by the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), African Independent Congress (AIC), and Al Jama-ah in their efforts to prevent her impeachment on grounds of misconduct and incompetence.
EFF MP Omphile Maotwe criticised the process, describing it as “grossly unfair” and “a witch hunt.”
He accused the majority of MPs of attempting to impeach Mkhwebane simply because she was not favoured by the establishment.
On the other hand, DA MP Annelie Lotriet commended the Section 194 committee for its diligent work in conducting the impeachment inquiry.
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Lotriet emphasised the importance of the inquiry, given Mkhwebane’s numerous legal challenges. She stated that the evidence presented during the inquiry made it clear that Mkhwebane could no longer hold the position of Public Protector.
The ANC also supported Mkhwebane’s impeachment, with ANC MP Qubudile Dyantyi, the chairperson of the Section 194 impeachment inquiry, expressing no doubt that Mkhwebane had engaged in misconduct and was incompetent for the role.
Corné Mulder, the Chief Whip of the Freedom Front Plus, acknowledged it as a sad day but stressed that Mkhwebane had not met the requirements of her office. He called for unity in removing Mkhwebane from office to restore dignity to the Public Protector’s role.
Zandile Majozi of the IFP emphasised the importance of accountability and transparency for a Public Protector. She stated that the individual occupying this position must embody the best values of democracy.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s tenure as Public Protector has been marred by controversy, with allegations of misconduct and questionable investigations.
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The process leading to her impeachment was initiated in December 2019, following the adoption of rules for the removal of a Chapter 9 institution head. Despite numerous legal challenges, the Section 194 inquiry into her conduct officially began in July 2022.
The committee ultimately found Mkhwebane guilty of four counts, including victimizing staff and misconduct and incompetence in three high-profile investigations.
With the National Assembly’s decision to impeach her, the matter now goes to President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is required to remove her from office, bringing her seven-year non-renewable term to an end.
