Enquiry to continue despite legal funding challenge for Mkhwebane
The parliamentary committee probing whether suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane is fit for the post has resolved to continue with its work despite concerns raised about funding for her legal team.
Chairperson of the Committee for Section 194 Enquiry, Qubudile Dyantyi confirmed the decision on Friday afternoon.
Earlier, Mkhwebane's legal counsel, Dali Mpofu announced to the enquiry that Friday effectively marked the end of their mandate to represent Mkhwebane as the office of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) has indicated that it would no longer pay for Mkhwebane’s legal fees beyond the end of March.
Mpofu said they had hoped for some miracle to end the impasse.
According to the PPSA, the total expenditure for Mkhwebane’s legal fees including the litigation on the impeachment process as well as the proceedings before the enquiry, amount to R26,2 million.
The office says an amount of R14. 9 million was originally budgeted for the 2022/23 financial year.
"As at the end of February 2023 the expenditure for legal services sourced by the PPSA for the financial year in question had already exceeded the allocated budget by R12 million," read a statement from the PPSA.
However, Dyantyi said it would be unfair to MKhwebane and everyone involved to stop the process at this stage.
Friday was the sixth day of testimony by Mkhwebane and she was scheduled to appear before the inquiry for nine days.
Mkhwebane maintains that she cannot continue with the hearing without legal representation.
Dyantyi said funds would have to be found for Mkhwebane and that it does not have to be from the PPSA.
The Committee is set to continue with further evidence from Mkhwebane on Monday.
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