By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa has refused to give evidence in Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s impeachment inquiry. This after UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa called for the President to answer questions relating to the CR17 campaign.
Ramaphosa has been accused of suspending the Public Protector unlawfully, despite the president standing by his decision in June.
Mkhwebane stands accused of lying under oath about deliberately changing the law to find Ramaphosa guilty in the CR17 report.
In a statement by Presidency, Ramaphosa refused to appear at the inquiry to testify against further allegations.
“The National Assembly initiated a section 194 inquiry to investigate grounds of misconduct and incompetence against Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane who occupied the office of the Public Protector. President Ramaphosa did not make any allegations against Advocate Mkhwebane, therefore, the President cannot be compelled to provide evidence proving or disproving these accusations.”
Ramaphosa refuses to give evidence in Mkhwebane inquiry
The President says he acted in accordance with the section 194(3)(a) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, decided to suspend Advocate Mkhwebane on 09 June.
Further to this Ramaphosa rejected Gen. Holomisa’s speculation that the CR17 campaign may have used public funds. Calling the claims baseless, misdirected and vindictive, Ramaphosa said it’s an abuse of parliamentary processes and privilege.
“It has never been alleged that public funds were used by the CR17 campaign.
The Constitutional Court judgement last year ruled that the Public Protector had no authority to investigate the CR17 campaign, given that this was not an organ of state and therefore not within the Public Protectors remit.”
Also read: Presidency slams Advocate Teffo’s allegations of plan hatched in Ramaphosa’s office
