Parliament said it has noted with dismay the unfounded utterances by former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, regarding the integrity of its staff members.
This follows a post by Mkhwebane on X, where she lambasted parliament judiciary officers labelling them of “Indian descent.”
Mkhwebane’s comments come after the Supreme Court of Appeal struck her matter of the roll, relating to the Western Cape High Court ruling about her impeachment inquiry.
In the tweet, Mkhwebane ‘blamed’ the officials for her legal challenges.
“I lodged the appeal with the hope of seeking justice and clarity. However, it was evident that Judge (Nathan) Poonan, leading the judgment, displayed noticeable arrogance and dismissiveness throughout the proceedings.
“My ongoing struggle has consistently involved key figures, predominantly of Indian descent, who have positioned themselves as my persecutors,” read the tweet.
Mkhwebane singled out the late Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, evidence leader in her impeachment inquiry, Cape Town advocate, Nazreen Bawa, Parliament’s chief legal advisor, advocate Zuraya Adhikarie, and parliamentary legal advisor, Fatima Ebrahim.
Parliament however said there is no merit to the attack levelled against its officers, who have served the institution with diligence and integrity over the years.
“The unwarranted attack on these officials, along with the racial slurs used by Advocate Mkhwebane, is particularly regrettable in a democratic society such as ours, where human dignity should be protected and respected.
“As a Member of Parliament and a public representative who owes allegiance to our Constitution, Advocate Mkhwebane has a responsibility to uphold and protect the values enshrined in the Constitution, which are the cornerstone of our democracy.
“Advocate Mkhwebane has appropriately sought the court’s intervention to express her dissatisfaction with the outcome of the Section 194 Committee, and the court has now struck the matter from the roll,” said Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo.
