AfriForum releases report on Public Protector’s first 100 days in office

Byafriforum

The civil rights organisation AfriForum has released a report on Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s first 100 days in office as the new Public Protector (PP). This period will end on 24 January 2017. In the report, AfriForum analyses her most controversial and noticeable actions to date and draws conclusions from these.

Amongst the most controversial and noticeable actions are:

  • The criticising of Adv. Madonsela before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services;
  • The alleged changing of the TV channel at the PP offices from eNCA to that of ANN7 exclusively;
  • The decision to oppose neither President Jacob Zuma’s, nor Minister Des van Rooyen’s interdict against the state capture report;
  • The case that she opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS) regarding the leaking of audio tapes that contained the state capture interview between Adv. Madonsela and President Zuma; and
  • The incident with Adv. Madonsela’s chief of staff, who was allegedly marched out of her office by security staff.

“AfriForum is concerned about the perception that Adv. Mkhwebane is creating of herself and her office. It appears as if she is trying hard to distance herself from her popular predecessor; yet in the process she positions herself closer to President Zuma and the corruption allegations that surround him,” says Ernst Roets, Deputy CEO of AfriForum.

Although AfriForum is concerned about the perception that the new PP is creating, there are also some positives to be taken into account. Adv. Mkwebane’s intentions to clear the large backlog of cases and increase the accessibility to her offices are laudable.

“We anxiously await the first report initiated and/or performed by or under the supervision of Adv. Mkhwebane. This will offer true insight into her intentions and may quickly change the public’s perception of her into one of a true Public Protector,” says Roets.

AfriForum intends to monitor the office of the Public Protector to make sure that it performs its duties as prescribed by the Constitution and national legislation.

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