Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane. PHOTO: Jaco Marais
- Ramaphosa is to send an envoy to the United States to discuss South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Russia.
- The investigation into Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s fitness to perform his duties resumes on Tuesday.
- Coalitions are proving fragile as the unofficial ANC/EFF alliance sees the withdrawal of AD members in Gauteng.
The investigation under Article 194 into the fitness of suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to perform his duties resumes on Tuesday.
On April 5, chief evidence officers Nazreen Bawa and Ncumisa Mayosi revealed that Mkhwebane had followed the advice of disbarred fugitive Paul Ngobeni. This follows the Constitutional Court’s invalidation of his CR7 campaign report.
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi had warned the Québec Ombudsman that she had no authority to order the investigation.
Bawa and Mayosi used Mkhwebane’s letters, court orders and affidavits to compare his answers and raise questions about his denials of wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the presidency has confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa will send an envoy to the United States to discuss South Africa’s position on Russia.
READ | Ramaphosa to send envoy to US to discuss South Africa’s diplomatic relations with Russia – Presidency
Returning from a delegation visit to Russia, ANC NEC member Obed Bapela told News24 that only the president could release the name of the appointed envoy, but he would be well experienced.
The planned BRICS summit in South Africa in August has put immense pressure on the government. As a signatory to the Roman Statute, South Africa could be forced to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin, should he appear.
Since the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, questions have been raised about whether or not the government would arrest Putin.
Meanwhile, the unofficial ANC/EFF alliance resulted in the loss of the DA Mayors of Ekurhuleni and West Rand Municipalities, Tania Campbell and Hullet Hild being voted out via motions of no confidence.
The parties have since nominated African Independent Congress (AIC) member Sivuyile Ngodwana, as Mayor of Ekurhuleni.
The newly elected mayor announced his municipal committee, made up solely of ANC and EFF members. The five EFF MMCs will be responsible for water, sanitation, energy, community services, environment and waste management, and transportation planning.
The remaining ANC MMCS are in charge of infrastructure, community safety, corporate and shared services, human settlements, urban planning and economic development.
READ | ANC and EFF promise clean governance after Gauteng Metro takeover, but history proves otherwise
In an effort to oust the ANC from power, AD leader John Steenhuisen has spoken of a “moon pact”, involving like-minded parties.
During his speech at the DA’s National Electoral Congress, Steenhuisen urged parties to join the fight and remove the ANC from power before the 2024 elections.
An invitation to a national convention was extended to 14 political parties – ActionSA, the newly formed Xiluva, the National Freedom Party, the African Transformation Movement, the African Independent Congress, the Abantu Batho Congress, the Pan African Congress of Azania, Rise Mzansi, United Independent Movement, African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), IFP, Minority Front, Build One SA and United Democratic Movement (UDM).
ActionSA and the IFP accepted the DA’s invitation, but warned Steenhuisen against himself and his party.
However, other parties, such as ACDP and UDM, rejected the invitation due to the DA’s “condescending approach” and “big brother mentality”.