Thulani Makhubela recused from Marshalltown inquiry over anti-foreigner posts
The inquiry’s chairperson, Justice Sisi Khampepe said Makhubela’s support for xenophobic raids shows that he will not bring an impartial mind to the commission.
The commission of Inquiry looking into the Marshalltown fire is hearing an application filed by SERI to recuse Adv. Thulani Makhubela as a commissioner. This follows a wide range of alleged xenophobic tweets seen on his X account.
JOHANNESBURG- Advocate Thulani Makhubela has been recused as one of the presiding commissioners in the Commission of Inquiry looking into the Marshalltown fire that killed 77 people.
Makhubela was tasked with probing circumstances that led to the raging fire that gutted the Usindiso building in Marshalltown in August, displacing hundreds of people.
His recusal follows a series of xenophobic posts on his platforms, voicing his support for several operations and raids conducted by the controversial Operation Dudula group.
READ: Makhubela unfit to be on Commission of Inquiry into Marshalltown fire
The inquiry’s chairperson, Justice Sisi Khampepe, said Makhubela’s support for xenophobic raids showed that he would not bring an impartial mind to the commission.
"He has openly disseminated anti-foreign rhetoric in support of Operation Dudula and Put South Africa First. As the residents of Usindiso building state, Operation Dudula is a focused niche group of persons sharing sincerely held strong views about the perceived slights and suffering of South Africans at the hands of foreign nationals."
These are some of the tweets penned by Advocate Makhubela. The commission’s chair, Justice Sisi Khampepe, says Makhubela will not bring an impartial mind to issues tabled at the commission.
' EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) December 20, 2023
This as a number of prospective witnesses are illegal migrants. @Alpha_Mero25 pic.twitter.com/jeU7cvackA