Ramaphosa formally fires Mkhwebane a month before her term as Public Protector ends

President Cyril Ramaphosa has formally fired advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane – a month before her term as Public Protector was due to end.

On Monday, 79.5% of the National Assembly voted in support of the section 194 committee that found Mkhwebane incompetent and guilty of misconduct, and unfit to hold office as head of South Africa’s watchdog.

In a letter to Mkhwebane, Ramaphosa said the Constitution states that following the conclusion of the section 194 process, he “must” remove the Public Protector from office.

“I therefore hereby inform you that you are hereby removed from the Office of the Public Protector in terms of section 194(3)(b) of the Constitution on the grounds of misconduct and incompetence,” the president said.

Mkhwebane on Wednesday morning posted Ramaphosa’s letter online, stating: “This injustice, sadly perpetrated on Steve Biko Day, will be legally challenged in review proceedings.

“If I perish, I perish. Ngiyathokoza Mzansi and Africa.” — news24.com