BLSA urges Parly to restore confidence in the Office of the Public Protector

6th August 2019

By: Thabi Shomolekae

Creamer Media Senior Writer

     

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Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) on Tuesday called on Parliament to urgently strengthen and restore confidence in the Office of the Public Protector (OPP).

The courts have set aside several reports by Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, with judges questioning her credibility, competence and understanding of the law in their rulings.

Some judges and justices have gone further ruling that she had acted in bad faith, was biased, dishonest, put together several falsehoods, did not understand her constitutional duties, and had lied under oath.

Next month once the parliamentary recess period is over members of Parliament are set to discuss Democratic Alliance (DA) chief whip John Steenhuisen’s request to look into the fitness of Mkhwebane to hold office.

The DA wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise to request that its complaint regarding Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office be expedited.

However, the BLSA said it was concerned about the recent rulings and pronouncements by different courts, including the Constitutional Court, that have been very unfavourable and often scathing of the OPP.

The OPP was one of the cornerstones of the country’s constitutional democracy that should be beyond reproach, it said, adding that millions of South Africans – directly and indirectly – had found recourse through this office, and those in power had been kept in check over the years.

“These court cases, rulings and pronouncements cannot instil confidence and they send worrying messages to business, investors as well as all South Africans who regard our Constitution highly, as we all should,” added BLSA.

BLSA therefore called for the necessary steps to be taken to correct this malady as it believed this situation should not continue unresolved.

Edited by David Shepherd
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