AfriForum weighs Mkhwebane’s first 100 days

Civil rights organisation AfriForum says in releasing its report on Public Protector Busiswe Mkhwebane’s first 100 days in office that it is concerned about the perceptions she “is creating of herself and her office”.

Mkhwebane’s first 100 days are marled today and, along with it, are controversial and noticeable actions that accompany her, the organisation said. AfriForum pointed to her criticism of former public protector Thuli Madonsela before parliament’s portfolio committee on justice and correctional services.

It also referred to the alleged changing of the TV channel at her offices from eNCA to ANN7, exclusively; the decision to oppose neither President Jacob Zuma nor Minister Des van Rooyen’s interdict against the State of Capture report; the case she opened with police regarding the leaking of audio tapes that contained the state capture interview between Madonsela and Zuma; and an incident with Madonsela’s chief of staff, who was allegedly marched out of her office by security staff.

“AfriForum is concerned about the perception that Mkhwebane is creating of herself and her office. It appears as if she is trying hard to distance herself from her popular predecessor, yet, in the process, she positions herself closer to President Zuma and the corruption allegations that surround him,” said AfriForum deputy CEO Ernst Roets.

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Although AfriForum was concerned about the perception that she was creating, there were also some positives to be taken into account, he said.

This included Mkhwebane’s intention to clear the large backlog of cases and increase the accessibility to her offices.

“We anxiously await the first report initiated and or performed by or under the supervision of Mkhwebane. This will offer true insight into her intentions and may quickly change the public’s perception of her into one of a true public protector,” said Roets.

“AfriForum intends to monitor the office of the public protector to make sure that it performs its duties as prescribed by the constitution and national legislation.”