Cape Town - Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has come under fire from the portfolio committee on justice on Wednesday for missing their meeting last week in the national legislature.
MPs said they felt disrespected by Mkhwebane’s conduct for skipping the meeting after she informed them late she could not attend the meeting due to a family emergency.
Mkhwebane is appearing before the committee to discuss moves by the official opposition to remove her from office.
Chairman of the committee Mathole Motshekga said they felt disrespected when Mkhwebane did not show up.
Mkhwebane did not even send a delegation to represent her at the meeting. But Mkhwebane said she felt the issues needed her personal attention.
ANC MP Madipoane Mothapo said they felt undermined by Mkhwebane’s absence at the meeting to discuss important issues. She said members of the committee felt disrespected by her.
“Last week as members of the committee we felt disrespected by the public protector. We were not informed why the public protector did not send a delegation. I am not sure if the public protector is showing remorse. Those who were present at the meeting last week felt much disrespected,” said Mothapo.
Steve Swart of the ACDP also said they felt disrespected by Mkhwebane.
Motshekga said he also did not take kindly to Mkhwebane’s decision to skip the meeting last week.
“I felt equally disrespected. I was invited to the media, but I left I could not debate with the public protector,” said Motshekga.