The Western Cape High Court has dismissed suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s application for an interim interdict to halt impeachment proceedings against her and prevent her suspension. Mkhwebane’s been ordered to dig into her own personal pockets and pay the costs.
She had also been seeking an order which would prevent President Cyril Ramaphosa from suspending her, relying on the fact that he was being investigated by her for alleged abuse of public funds for the African National Congress (ANC) campaigns.
A unanimous judgement by a full bench, said the public protector was, in terms of the constitution, accountable to parliament: “We must emphasise that there exists a strong public interest in the continuation of the impeachment process.
“As a matter of logic, there is serious prejudice against the separation of powers and the public interest, in the event that the impeachment process is not concluded timeously and without inordinate delay.”
The latest court decision on the Public Protector’s impeachment saga comes on the back of long unsuccessful attempts by Mkhwebane to halt the impeachment process. The was never successful and was not deterred by the results which were the same.
The judgement from the court comes a pay after President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Mkhwebane with immediate effect. The impeachment hearings are set to begin from 11 July.
The court found that Mkhwebane’s application for an interdict into her impeachment fell short of the requirements, giving way for the process to continue.
Source: Business Day, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter