The office of National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise has approved a motion to initiate proceedings for the removal of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

“The DA, from the onset, opposed the appointment of Mkhwebane as Public Protector and we consider her removal a matter of great urgency,” Mazzone said at the time.

“She has, time and again, proven that she is unfit to hold office, has consistently demonstrated an inability to conduct her work independently and has illustrated a poor understanding both of the law as well as of her mandate as Public Protector. Worse, Mkhwebane’s actions have caused immeasurable damage to the once-respected reputation of the Office of the Public Protector.”

In a statement on Friday, parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said the new rules expanded on the broad parameters in Section 194 of the Constitution – which provide for the removal of heads of Chapter 9 institutions – and previous National Assembly rules.

“The Democratic Alliance’s draft substantive motion for the removal of Advocate Mkhwebane will thus be considered in terms of these new rules,” read the statement.

“The new rules provide for any member of the National Assembly to initiate, through a substantive motion, proceedings for a Section 194 inquiry.”

If the Speaker is satisfied that the motion meets all the requirements, she must refer the motion and any supporting documents for a preliminary assessment to an independent panel. She must also, without delay, inform the National Assembly and the president of this referral.

“Having approved the motion, the Speaker has thus written to political parties to put forward proposed nominees to serve on the panel, made up of fit and proper South African citizens,” Mothapo said.

“The rules stipulate that the panel must collectively have the necessary legal and other competencies and experience to conduct the assessment. A judge may be appointed to the panel, but the Speaker must make such an appointment in consultation with the chief justice.”

Parties have until February 7 to submit their recommended nominees.

Within 30 days of its appointment, the panel must conduct and finalise a preliminary assessment on the motion proposing a Section 194 inquiry and make a recommendation to the Speaker.

Source: http://www.news24.com

The defence guru’s elevation wasn’t exactly a surprise as Rassie Erasmus opts for continuity.

By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West said it was shocked to learn that a senior African National Congress (ANC) official in the province, Hlomane Chauke who serves as its Interim Provincial Coordinator (IPC) is deliberately promoting corruption in government.

This comes after Chauke allegedly instructed the Chief Whips of Districts and municipalities in the province to use taxpayers’ money for accommodation and traveling for ANC functionaries who will be attending an ANC Lekgotla from the 25^th – 26^th January 2020 in Rustenburg.

The EFF provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said he was disappointed that Chauke who also serves as a Member of Parliament (MP) can issue such a reckless instruction, which borders on the promotion of corruption in government. Botswe further said municipalities, both local and districts are an integral part of the state.

“The EFF rejects the ANC’s deliberate conflation of the state and the party.  We also reject the deliberate act of blurring the line that separates the party from the state. The ANC is not the state and the state is not the ANC. We further call upon the ANC especially its national structures to take drastic steps against Chauke for promoting corruption.

“Corruption is cancer that is eating at the fabric of the South African society and the ANC government is still battling on how to deal with it. Presently, the local government sphere of government in the province has collapsed because of corruption. Not even a single municipality has received a clean audit from the Auditor General,” he said.

Botswe added that all the disclaimers incurred by municipalities are as a result of corruption. He added that it is against this background that the EFF calls for disciplinary steps to be taken against Chauke.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the province shared the same sentiments. DA provincial leader, Joe McGluwa said they have written to the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to demand answers.

McGluwa said: “It is in the interest of the public that Mokgoro comes out clear and announce who will be footing the bill to this extravagance. As previously indicated, the DA will approach the High Court to interdict the Lekgotla, should this event continue with the costs carried by municipalities.

“Paying the accommodation and travel costs of ANC cadres using state funds is criminal and should be addressed urgently. To this end, we will be sending out letters to all municipalities indicating the dire consequences should they proceed to fund this Lekgotla.”

However, the ANC in the North West categorically denies any intention to use taxpayer’s money for its Provincial Lekgotla. The party’s provincial spokesperson, Kenny Morolong said that the ANC is committed to fiscal prudence and clean governance and the latter must inter-alia be realized by ensuring that taxpayers money is used for the purpose for which it is intended.

“The communique which invites ANC deployees to the Provincial Lekgotla states that the municipality must take full responsibility of traveling and accommodation arrangements of its delegates to the Provincial Lekgotla. The reference to the municipality with respect to our invite to the Provincial Lekgotla has always been interpreted by our structures and councillors as “deployees (councillors) representing a municipal council.”

“When we refer to a municipality in similar terms as stated in our invite we refer to a collective of ANC deployees who represent a particular municipality. We have consistently cautioned our public representatives against expenditure incurred by our institutions without provision having been made for such in the budget or without obtaining approval in terms of appropriate legislation,” said Morolong.

He said their deployees are acutely aware of the fact that they are personally liable for costs of their travel and accommodation to the Lekgotla as this is an established practice in the ANC. Morolong added that a deliberate confusion created around their communique by those with mischievous intentions is without basis.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 38-YEAR-OLD man was sentenced to 25-year imprisonment for rape. According to the Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock, the man found his girlfriend asleep and demanded sex.

The incident took place at Delportshoop.

“On the 25 August, 2018 at about midnight, the victim (38) was sleeping in her shanty in Delportshoop when the accused, at that stage her boyfriend, arrived. He woke her up and demanded to have sex with her. The victim refused and was assaulted by the accused that forcefully removed her clothes and raped her twice.

“The accused was arrested and the police successfully opposed bail. The accused remained in custody until he was sentenced. On 21 January 2020, the accused was found guilty and sentenced to 25 years imprisonment,” Kock said.

The Provincial Head for Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit in the Northern Cape, Brigadier Nicky Mills applauded the Investigating Officer, Constable Patience Fortuin for her hard work and meticulous investigation which led to this superb sentence.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

More than 20 underprivileged learners from ER Mocwaledi Intermediate School in Hartswater and CW Kies Primary School in Delportshoop received school uniforms. The donation was made by the Northern Cape police as part of a Back-2-School campaign.

Northern Cape police spokesperson, Capt Sergio Kock said the campaign was part of social responsibility and to encourage a good relationship between the communities and the police.

“The Provincial SAPS members, the Community Policing Forum members and Safety Volunteers in collaboration with the Department of Education continued with a Back-To-School campaign by visiting the ER Mocwaledi Intermediate School and the CW Kies Primary School in Delportshoop yesterday.

“We handed out ten sets of uniforms to scholars at the schools. The police relayed basic safety tips to children and also advised them to be aware of the most prevalent issues currently raised at primary and high schools. The learners were informed about the criminal elements taking place at some schools such as drug usage, drug sales, carrying of dangerous weapons and theft,” Kock said.

He said the police will continue to work together with other stakeholders to ensure that together they turn the tide against crime. Kock further said their primary role is to maintain order and security on school grounds and provide a positive learning environment. 

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