Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane Tells President Cyril Ramaphosa She's Going Back to Work

• Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane believes her suspension has lapsed and she can go back to work
• President Cyril Ramaphosa disputes her claim, saying the work of the Section 194 committee is still ongoing
• Many South Africans have found Mkhwebane's plans to return to work laughable and admirable

JOHANNESBURG - Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is tired of sitting on the sidelines and wants to get back to the grind.

President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane on 9 June 2022, pending the Section 194 committee inquiry into her fitness to hold office.

Busisiwe Mkhwebane claims her suspension is over

Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Mkhwebane said the committee had concluded the inquiry, which means her suspension has been lifted.

Read also

Maimane slams Ramokgopa for 'ZANU-PF tactics' after dancing video goes viral as SA enters stage 6 loadshedding

"According to Section 194, proceedings/inquiry has now been finalised. The period of suspension defined in the Presidential Minutes issued in terms of section 194(3)(a), read with section 101(1)of the Constitution, has expired," said Mkhwebane.

She said she wrote to Ramaphosa to inform him that she would return to work on Tuesday, 5 September. However, the Office of the Public Protector stated that Mkhwebane's suspension has not been lifted as she claims, reports SABC News.

Ndili Msoki, the Public Protector's Office spokesperson, said the president is the only one with the authority to revoke the suspension.

President Cyril Ramaphosa responds

On Tuesday morning, Ramaphosa responded to Mkhwebane's letter and said she is not entitled to return to work because the committee's mandate has not been finalised.

Read also

Johannesburg fire: Lindiwe Zulu blames apartheid for deadly blaze, Mmusi Maimane and Mzansi challenge Minister

Ramaphosa said the committee's report still needs to be handed over to the National Assembly to decide whether she will be impeached or can return to work.

Despite Ramaphosa's response, Mkhwebane insists on returning to the office, reports Newzroom Afrika.

Mzansi weighs in on Mkhwebane's plan to go back to work

@kabelodick said:

"Batsene wena girl, they don't know you well. You are like those toxic girlfriends that you can never break up with because tomorrow she comes back like nothing happened."

@kaysexwale said:

"Your tenacity is unmatched, shem. I'm holding thumbs for you that you at least get your pension."

@cab_delivery said:

"The finalisation of the proceedings will be only when Parliament has voted against/for your impeachment."

Section 194 recommends Mkhwebane’s removal from office

Briefly News previously reported that Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has learnt her fate about her fitness to hold office.

Read also

"A favour for a favour": Gcaleka recommendation as SA's next Public Protector sparks debate

After months of proceedings, the Section 194 Committee impeachment inquiry found Mkhwebane guilty of certain charges of misconduct.

The committee met on Friday, 11 August and discussed a second draft report on Mkwebane's fitness to hold office.

Source: Briefly News