Suspended Public Protector Mkhwebane Says Impeachment Inquiry Feels Like an Abusive GBV Relationship

• Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane made some damning comparisons at the resumption of her impeachment inquiry
• The advocate claimed that the proceedings felt like she was being forced to stay in an abusive relationship
• This comes after DA's Kevin Mileham refused to recuse himself from the committee

CAPE TOWN - Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the suspended Public Protector, compared her impeachment inquiry to that of a woman compelled to stay in a violent relationship.

Mkhwebane's remarks come after her legal team abandoned the inquiry's proceedings last week, citing a lack of authority to continue in the "illegal process".

The walkout came after the committee decided to continue with proceedings after committee chairperson Qubudile Dyantyi and DA’s Kevin Mileham refused to recuse themselves, and Mkhwebane requested adjournment was rejected.

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Busisiwe Mkhwebane says defence team did not withdraw, compares proceedings to an abusive relationship

On Friday, 28 October, Mkhwebane assured the committee that her legal team did not withdraw their services regardless of the walkout, EWN reported.

When the proceedings resumed on Tuesday, 1 November, Mkhwebane's legal team was a no-show, which the suspended public protector attributed to them not having ample notice of the resumption. Mkhwebane added that the legal team was dealing with other pressing matters.

Unimpressed with Mkhwebane's excuses, members of the committee requested that she explain why Mpofu and her legal team abandoned the proceedings.

According to City Press, Mileham added that Mkhwebane was disingenuous by claiming that her team was not given notice.

Mkhwebane objected to Mileham's claims stating that his refusal to recuse himself from the inquiry meant he was subjecting her to stay in an abusive relationship with him.

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Sithelo Shozi confirms court case against Andile Mpisane is well underway following domestic abuse allegations: "Nobody will ever pay me off"

Mileham denied abusing the suspended public protector and slammed Mkhwebane for making an untenable accusation.

South Africans react to Mkhwebane's statement

South Africans aren't impressed with Mkhwebane comparing her impeachment inquiry to an abusive relationship.

Here are some comments:

@metafyzician rebutted:

"She should stop being abusive then."

@MoragSwan claimed

"Drama Queen."

@inkingayodwa added:

"She is abusing us."

Busisiwe Mkhwebane continues to battle in court to return to work, SA no longer wants to pay legal fees

In another story, Briefly News reported that Busisiwe Mkhwebane wanted the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) to lift her suspension as the public protector by the president lifted and declared invalid. On Tuesday, the Western Cape High Court maintained its previous judgement that only the Constitutional Court can approve her suspension to be lifted before it takes effect.

Judges James Lekhuleni, Lister Nuku and Matthew Francis set the president's decision aside last month because they discovered that he was biased in suspending her after she announced a day before that the Public Protectors' office would be investigating him in the Phala Phala theft and maintained that ruling on Tuesday, reported News24.

Source: Briefly News