Four members of the Committee for Section 194 Enquiry responsible for investigating the fitness of suspended public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to hold office have been recused from Parliament’s ethics committee looking into her bribery allegations.
They are Bekizwe Nkosi, Julius Malema, Violet Siwela, and Mimmy Gondwe.
According to Malatswa Molepo, spokesperson for parliament, the joint committee on ethics and members’ interests convened on Monday to discuss Mkhwebane’s complaints against the late Tina Joemat-Pettersson, Richard Dyantyi, Pemmy Majodina, and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula.
In the meeting, said Molepo, the committee was briefed by acting registrar of members’ interests, advocate Anthea Gordon, who highlighted the importance of conducting a fair process.
As a result, the committee decided to recuse the four members.
“The committee noted that four of its members serve on the Committee for Section 194 Enquiry,” Gordon said.
“The four members – Mr Bekizwe Nkosi, Mr Julius Malema, Ms Violet Siwela and Ms Mimmy Gondwe – have been recused from the committee for the purpose of the complaints by the public protector.
“This is to ensure that the process before the committee is fair, ethical, and conducted with integrity.”
In light of these events, the committee has made it clear that it will not entertain media requests regarding the complaints at this stage, emphasizing its dedication to upholding the integrity of the investigation and avoiding any potential influence or interference from external sources.
“The committee will process the complaints in line with the provisions of the code of ethical conduct and disclosures of members’ interests and will at its next meeting engage on the substance of the complaints.
“The committee observes principles of natural justice which must be adhered to. The committee will not engage media requests on the complaints.”
Meanwhile, on Tuesday Mkhwebwane is expected to spill the beans and make public for the first time the audio recordings which ought to confirm allegations that three ANC MPs tried to extort a R600 000 bribe.
It remains to be seen whether there is any truth to the allegations and the impact on the proceedings going forward.
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