- There is a prima facie case for Busisiwe Mkhwebane's removal as Public Protector, an independent panel has found.
- The National Assembly will first have to vote on whether an inquiry should be instituted.
- The DA, which brought the motion, welcomes the panel's finding.
The independent panel, which had to determine whether there was a prima facie case for advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's removal as Public Protector, recommended that Parliament institute removal proceedings.
Last week, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Thandi Modise, received the report from the panel - Justice Bess Nkabinde, advocate Dumisa Ntsebeza and advocate Johann de Waal – but didn't make the outcome known.
In a statement on Monday, Parliament revealed the panel had found there was a prima facie case to institute removal proceedings against Mkhwebane.
The panel had to conduct a preliminary inquiry and assess whether there was prima facie evidence to show that Mkhwebane committed misconduct, was incapacitated or was incompetent.
DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone, who brought the motion which got the process underway, said the DA welcomes the panel's finding.
"We are pleased by these findings and urge Parliament to institute the removal proceedings against Mkhwebane without delay," said Mazzone.
