MK Party says it has written to Speaker Thoko Didiza to initiate impeachment proceedings against Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, citing alleged incompetence and misconduct in the handling of the Phala Phala matter.
Image: Jonisayi Maromo / IOL
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) says it has formally written to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to initiate proceedings for the impeachment of Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka.
The party cites alleged incompetence and misconduct in the handling of the Phala Phala matter.
MKP says the move is made in terms of Section 194 of the Constitution. It is based on what it calls the Office of the Public Protector’s inadequate handling of the case.
The party says this is especially evident when measured against findings by the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID).
MK Party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said the conduct amounted to “both incompetence and misconduct” in relation to the Phala Phala investigation, when assessed against IPID findings.
He said the office failed to refer key matters to the appropriate authorities. He also said it did not properly identify indicators of criminality, maladministration and abuse of public power.
This, he said, raises “prima facie concerns of incompetence per Section 194 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa.”
Ndhlela further said there was a “selective and questionable investigative approach.”
“The Public Protector’s role is to protect the public, and not the politics of a sitting President and/or politicians,'' he said.
The party says it has urged the Speaker to urgently initiate impeachment proceedings, arguing that Chapter 9 institutions must remain beyond reproach in safeguarding the public from political interference while executing their constitutional mandate.
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