ANC distances itself from Supra on removal of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane

The ANC on Sunday distanced itself from the views of its MP and former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was doing a marvellous job and she should not be removed from office.

The party said in a statement that it noted the comments made by Mahumapelo around the motion tabled by the DA to initiate proceedings for the removal of Mkhwebane.

“Comrade Mahumapelo spoke in his personal capacity; and his views do not represent the organisation. It should be noted that the ANC has not yet discussed its position on the motion,” party spokesperson Pule Mabe said.

Speaking on Friday, Mahumapelo said Mkwehbane had done a sterling job and he did not believe anyone in the ANC would support her removal.

“It is not going to happen.” Mahumapelo used this line five times during a 13-minute address to journalists outside the Cape Town magistrate's court, while emphasising the point that the ANC could not support a “retrogressive” DA motion.

He accused the DA of seeking to divide the ANC in tabling the motion against Mkhwebane. Mahumapelo said by tabling the motion while not having the majority in parliament, the DA was hoping that some of the ANC's MPs would be tempted to support its motion.

“It's not going to happen and I thought we must make it very clear, it's not going to happen,” Mahumapelo said.

The ANC said they were yet to decide on the matter.

“The ANC caucus in parliament, guided by the national office, is the sole authority mandated to pronounce on positions of the ANC on matters before it — not individual members unless so delegated,” Mabe said.

He said the ANC reaffirms its confidence in the Office of the Public Protector.

“We therefore encourage leaders and members of the ANC to exercise their freedom of speech within the confines of the structures and discipline of the ANC,” Mabe said.

The Sunday Times reported on Sunday that President Cyril Ramaphosa and Mkhwebane’s legal teams will face off at the North Gauteng High Court on Tuesday.

The court is hearing arguments in Ramaphosa’s case to have Mkhwebane’s Bosasa report reviewed and set aside.