The Democratic Alliance (DA) has said Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is “wholly unfit and improper” to hold office.
The party was reacting to Thursday’s North Gauteng High Court ruling that imposed a personal costs order on Mkhwebane.
The matter relates to her investigation on the controversial Gupta-linked Estina dairy farm project in the Free State.
The same court recently declared Mkhwebane’s report on the project unconstitutional and set it aside.
DA’s Chief Whip John Steenhuisen cited Judge Ronel Tolmay’s scathing comments on the investigation.
Tolmay said Mkhwebane failed to fulfil her constitutional duties and “turned a blind eye” to the poor.
This ruling is an indictment on Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s competence. There is no more denying – the Public Protector is wholly unfit and improper to hold the office of such a crucial Chapter 9 body.
DA Chief Whip John Steenhuisen
Steenhuisen said Mkhwebane’s legal losses are “stacking up on a weekly basis” and causing harm to the office of Public Protector.
He accused Mkhwebane of tarnishing the credibility, independence and authority of her office.
He insisted that Parliament can no longer hold off an inquiry into Mkhwebane’s fitness to hold office.
The Public Protector’s office has indicated that it will appeal Thursday’s adverse costs order ruling.