By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa is not backing down on his decision to suspend Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, despite her ultimatum.
The suspended Public Protector issued the President with a letter, demanding her immediate reinstatement by close of business on Tuesday.
Threatening the President with further legal action if he fails to do so, Mkhwebane called the decision to have her suspended unlawful and invalid.
“I hereby demand that you reverse your decision to suspend me and indicate that you have done so by no later than 17:00 on Tuesday, 14 June 2022, failing which I will be left with no option but to refer the matter to the appropriate court as a matter of urgency and without any further notice to you, to protect my constitutional and other rights, which have been violated as a result of your conduct in unlawfully suspending me.”
Despite her ultimatum, President Ramaphosa is not backing down from his decision to suspend Busisiwe Mkhwebane
Mkhwebane also raised the fact that her suspension came a day before she a verdict was to be handed down in the High Court.
She said the judgement was supposed to decide on the legal entitlement of President Ramaphosa to suspend her.
— Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane (@AdvBMkhwebane) June 10, 2022
However, on Tuesday, 14 June, the President’s newly appointed Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya issued a statement stipulating Ramaphosa stands by his decision.
“President Ramaphosa has responded to Advocate Mkhwebane and stands by his decision as communicated before.”
Ramaphosa’s decision to suspend the Public Protector comes as her office launched an investigation into the theft of $4 million at the President’s Phala Phala farm.
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