Public protector presents finding against Helen Zille – Twitter reacts

Former Western Cape premier and DA leader Helen Zille was fingered during today’s presentation in which public protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane delivered her reports on a number of outstanding cases.

#Mkhwebane is giving feedback on her findings in relation to allegations of a possible violation of the executive ethics code by the premier of the Western Cape Province, Helen Zille. The complaint was lodged by honorable KC Dugmore and ANC member in the WCP legislature.

— Juniour Khumalo (@JuniourKhumalo_) December 19, 2018

In addition to finding Malusi Gigaba and Fikile Mbalula guilty of misconduct, advocate Mkhwebane found Zille had violated the Executive Members Act when she assisted her maths teacher son by arranging for tablets from the province’s education department to be loaned to him so he could offer extra maths lessons to disadvantaged matric students.

https://twitter.com/karynmaughan/status/1075367604909498368

Social media users have since reacted to the news with many rejoicing in the finding and juxtaposing it with the DA’s strong anti-corruption stance.

https://twitter.com/AdvBarryRoux/status/1075371431154860037

Helen Zille is corrupt according to the Public Protector. Let’s watch the DA like the other ones try to delegitimize Mkhwebane. pic.twitter.com/uNO63jeZlS

— Injoli yeSizwe (@osipuka) December 19, 2018

She broke the executive act. Wether it is for a good purpose or not. She broke the law😂😂😂 stop trying to deflect the issue

— The_Don_Hloni (@hloni_divine) December 19, 2018

There are those who have come to Zille’s defence, however, citing the fact the misconduct was committed in an effort to help those less fortunate.

https://twitter.com/bmaharaj1/status/1075373443170881537

Holy moly , Mkhwebane is crazier than Zuma. I never thought that was even possible .

— steve van niekerk (@NiekerkSteve) December 19, 2018

Did you just ask that she clarifies "conflict of interest" cause the premier assisted her son to get tablets for poor privileged kids to get tablets?

— Ipfi (@BlackConsciousd) December 19, 2018

https://twitter.com/AluwaniMicheal/status/1075369502358036480

Loan tablets to help the disadvantaged, is that corruption? Sum1 needs to get her head examined. That’s real strange😳😳

— maveti (@proudlySAn) December 19, 2018

Zille has yet to respond but she did, however, tweet the following:

#PublicProtector has sadly destroyed the credibility of that Office, built up so diligently by her predecessor. She is now driven by need to win protection from the ANC so she can remain in office. Her report on @helenzille today is laughable in its straw-clutching ineptitude.

— Geordin Hill-Lewis (@geordinhl) December 19, 2018

READ NEXT: Mkhwebane finds Treasury DG should have disclosed criminal record

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