Mpofu tells court about 'Sobukwe-type' legislation aimed at stifling Public Protector

Advocate Dali Mpofu in the North High Court on Wednesday. Picture: Brenda Masilela/ANA

Advocate Dali Mpofu in the North High Court on Wednesday. Picture: Brenda Masilela/ANA

Published Aug 13, 2020

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Cape Town - Advocate Dali Mpofu was taken to task on Wednesday by the Western Cape High Court for accusing the DA of seeking to use a “Sobukwe-type clause” in order to remove Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane from office.

Mpofu’s assertion saw him entangled in a long discussion with Judge Vincent Saldanha.

Mpofu made submissions in the case to interdict Parliament from removing Mkhwebane from office.

Mkhwebane brought the application earlier this year but it was postponed due to Covid-19.

National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise later went ahead to appoint a panel to assess the motion submitted by DA chief whip Natasha Mazzone.

Mpofu told the high court that the application contained allegations of ulterior motives.

“There is no doubt that the DA has had a vendetta, traced back literally from day one (of) the public protector’s appointment and even before her selection,” he said.

But Judge Saldanha said the DA was entitled to lay complaints against Mkhwebane.

The matter is set to continue on Thursday.