Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) affiliate Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, accusing her of harassing employees.
PSA alleged that Mkhwebane ignored experienced labour relations officials and hired external lawyers for disciplinary hearings. “The PSA’s main bone of contention has been her treatment of employees. The Public Protector harassed and purged PSA shop stewards by subjecting them to dubious disciplinary hearings.
“She instructed external lawyers to confiscate laptops of investigators without them being provided with security clearance, compromising the work of the Public Protector. She further appointed tainted senior staff who were dismissed from government departments owing to their indiscretion and misconduct.”
The union has called on suspended Public Protector Mkhwebane’s deputy Koleka Gcaleka to “pursue labour peace and create a conducive environment” for employees.
“The ill-treatment of employees, victimisation and suppressing of different views must be a thing of the past. The PSA is prepared to work with her to restore the image of the office to allow for the execution of its constitutional mandate
“The PSA remains adamant that advocate Mkhwebane was not fit to run the office. The PSA reiterates the call that her removal from the office must be expedited as she remains a stumbling block for in the way of restoring the integrity of this critical institution.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane on Thursday after he had given her 10 days to give reasons why she should not be suspended. Despite refusing to give reasons in the beginning, Mkhwebane ended up giving her reasons, which she said were in protest against Ramaphosa. The Public Protector suffered another blow on Friday as the Western Cape High Court dismissed her application to halt the impeachment proceedings against her and prevent her suspension.
The parliamentary impeachment process, referred to as Section 194 inquiry, is set to begin on 11 July and the fate of Mkhwebane will be decided by the National Assembly.
Source: The Citizen, DMC News, Naija on Point, image from Twitter