African National Congress (ANC) Northern Cape chairperson Dr Zamani Saul has apparently suggested that Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is “irrational.”
Saul, who is also Northern Cape’s Premier, made the suggestion in a tweet he posted on Wednesday on his personal Twitter account.
Just done studying all HC judgments involving the PP. The PP’s task is to be a rational body that fights irrationality by others.
In these cases the courts rule that the PP is irrational; seemingly we have an irrational PP that must investigate irrationality by others. Damn!!!
Dr Zamani Saul
Court rulings
Saul was referring to court rulings that have set aside Mkhwebane’s reports or declared them unconstitutional.
Last year, the high court declared Mkhwebane’s report on the Absa-Bankorp matter unconstitutional and imposed a personal costs order against her.
Similarly, her Estina dairy farm report was declared unconstitutional, with a personal costs order imposed on her as well.
These rulings have sparked calls for Parliament to consider her suitability for office.
Debate
Saul’s tweet generated debate among his followers. African Transformation Movement (ATM) leader Mzwanele Manyi criticised it as “disappointing.”
This is disappointingly uncharacteristic of your progressive and sober posture that is otherwise examplary. Silence is golden.
Mzwanele Manyi
Some cautioned Saul against “attacking” the office of the Public Protector, adding that his tweet was “unnecessary.”
However, some of his followers agreed with him and defended him against his critics.
Northern Cape was among President Cyril Ramaphosa’s solid backers in the 2017 presidential contest in the ANC.
Ramaphosa is currently embroiled in a legal tussle with Mkhwebane over her report on his CR17 campaign fundraising.