New selection process for deputy PP thrust into the spotlight in Parly
On Tuesday, the process stalled in the justice committee over a conflict of interest involving EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
The position for a deputy public protector is in the process of being filled. Picture: Facebook/Public Protector South Africa
CAPE TOWN - The National Assembly will be asked to endorse a new process to select a deputy Public Protector after the process stalled in the justice committee on Tuesday, over a conflict of interest involving Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of Parliament (MP) Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
On Wednesday morning, the committee deliberated on its report to the house to explain why the process collapsed as it was preparing to deliberate on the interviews they conducted in March.
But the EFF said Parliament’s legal opinion that Mkhwebane should have recused herself is biased and is a retributive act by those who are offended by her presence in Parliament.
The justice committee was mulling over whether Parliament should draft rules for the recruitment of a deputy Public Protector - which would compel an MP to recuse themselves if there’s a reasonable apprehension of bias.
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Seven candidates were interviewed by the committee in March, but concerns were raised about the connections Mkhwebane has to two of them.
But the EFF said the committee is trying to block the party from exercising its duties, and the concerns raised against Mkhwebane relate to her former career as a Public Protector.
The party said there’s no evidence that she holds a grudge against a candidate whom she once recommended be fired from that office.
Neither should Mkhwebane nor the candidate who represents her pro bono in a legal matter be demonised for providing her with free access to legal representation.
Deliberations on the matter continue.