Mkhwebane confident she will be cleared of wrongdoing, keep her job

 On Monday, Parliament's independent panel finalised its preliminary assessment of the Mkhwebane's conduct in her handling of certain matters, including the South African Reserve Bank (SARB)/ABSA Lifeboat Report case and the Vrede Dairy Estina case.

 

The panel found there was sufficient prima facie evidence of misconduct against Mkhwebane, opening the door for her to face impeachment proceedings.

 

Mkhwebane's spokesperson Oupa Segalwe, says the preliminary report is not proof of wrongdoing.

 

"It should be noted that there are still court processes in relation to this matter," says Segalwe.

 

"The public protector is confident that the parliamentary and judiciary proceedings which are before the high court and the Constitutional court will ultimately result in her being cleared of any wrongdoing."

 

Despite the growing criticism over Mkhwebane, Segalwe says the office continues with its work.

 

"The office of the public protector is fully operation, and the ongoing parliamentary process has no direct bearing on the functioning of the office," he adds.

 

The panel was established to conduct a preliminary assessment and make a recommendation on whether the claims against Mkhwebane would hold water.

 

The three-member independent panel, headed by retired Judge Bess Nkabinde, recommended that a committee of the National Assembly investigate or launch an inquiry into the public protector’s fitness to hold office.

 

Mkhwebane would be the first head of a Chapter 9 institution to face an impeachment process.