Public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane says President Cyril Ramaphosa must withdraw the letter of suspension to her, saying the correspondence was unlawful and unconstitutional. She also requested that the president should not interfere in the impeachment process as the president was “heavily” conflicted.
She gave Ramaphosa until Wednesday at 4 p.m. to respond and depending on the response she would decide on her way forward. Until the president responded to her request, she reserved her rights which includes responding to the merits of why she should not be suspended.
Ramaphosa gave Mkhwebane 10 days to give reasons why he should not suspend her in terms of section 194(3) of the constitution after parliament’s decision to go ahead with her impeachment. In response Mkhwebane said there are numerous reasons why the suspension would be illegal stating that Ramaphosa was not legally entitled to take any steps against her.
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“The reason is that the president is personally heavily and multiple conflicted in this matter due to various investigations which have recently been, or are presently being, investigated by her against or concerning allegations of breach of ethics and/or violations of the constitution,” Mkhwebane’s lawyers responded to Ramaphosa.
The letter dated March 22 continues by saying “In that connection, it would be convenient to refer you to, or remind you, of your own concessions made under oath in respect of so called Bosasa matter.”
Bosasa has been cited in the Zondo commission report as the key channel which was used for corruption and money laundering.
Source: Eyewitness News, Times Live, Business Day, image from Times Live
