Mkhwebane denies she was a spy

06 September 2016 - 19:02 By Jan-Jan Joubert And Neo Goba

Proposed Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has firmly denied DA allegations that she was a South African spy on behalf of the State Security Agency (SSA) while working as a South African immigration officer in China. "I never worked for SSA. I only joined the SSA on 4 July 2016‚" Mkhwebane said in reply to a question sms'ed to her by TMG Digital on Tuesday afternoon. The ANC‚ in a statement on Twitter‚ also described the DA’s opposition to Mkhwebane’s nomination for the public protector’s post as “baseless” and “politically motivated”.DA MPs Werner Horn and Glynnis Breytenbach told the parliamentary press corps on Tuesday that their information on Mkhwebane's alleged spy activities came from several trusted sources‚ and called on her to either publically pronounce on such activities‚ or to decline the nomination for public protector.The DA dropped a political bombshell by claiming publically that Mkhwebane was a paid spy when she worked for the South African Department of Home Affairs as immigration officer in China.Mkhwebane's appointment is scheduled to be proposed to President Jacob Zuma by Parliament this afternoon.The National Assembly will debate the proposed appointment of Mkhwebane‚ who at this stage has the support of all political parties except the DA‚ after a parliamentary ad hoc committee proposed her appointment.The Economic Freedom Fighters on Tuesday reiterated their unreserved support for Mkhwebane.Speaking to TMG Digital‚ EFF acting national spokesperson Fana Mokoena said the red berets had confidence in Mkhwebane as she had the necessary qualifications to take over from Thuli Madonsela whose non-renewable term comes to an end next month."We have said officially that we do support her as she was the best candidate that came out of the entire lot.”The ANC also reiterated its support for Mkhwebane on Tuesday‚ saying their support was based on her "excellent credentials which meet all the constitutional and legal requirements" for the position."The ANC in Parliament will tomorrow‚ vote in support of the appointment of Advocate Busisiwe Joyce Mkhwebane to the position of the Public Protector when the matter is tabled before the sitting of the National Assembly for a decision‚" the party said in a statement.The ANC added that she is a fit and proper person as prescribed by the law‚ a brilliant legal mind‚ a highly experienced manager and has displayed remarkable depth and understanding of the issues pertaining to the office of the Public Protector during the ad hoc committee interviews. The party‚ which lost key metros in the recent local government elections‚ spared no punches for the DA."It is baffling that the DA would cast aspersions on Adv Mkhwebane merely because she worked for an official state institution‚ the State Security Agency‚ where she served without any controversy or violation of the law."The party added: "It is clear that the DA’s opposition has more to do with narrow political preferences than Adv Mkhwebane’s qualification for office of the public protector. It is unfortunate that while on one hand parties rose above petty politics to guard the integrity of the Public Protector’s office‚ the DA on the other hand is seeking to blemish it with absurd political reasons."Parliament’s ad hoc committee picked the little known candidate over high court judges and other internationally acclaimed legal minds.Her experience includes time as a director in the Department of Home Affairs and a senior investigator in the office of the Public Protector.Her selection came despite committee members' misgivings about politicisation of the State Security Agency‚ which she worked for and information that opposition members received that she could be a preferred candidate for Zuma.Read Mkhwebane’s full CV here:(null)(null)123TMG Digital/Parliamentary Bureau..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.