Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has appeared before the Parliamentary committee to respond to allegations that she suppressed certain information implicating some politicians who were allegedly involved in the Estina Dairy project at Vrede in the Free State.
But she says all records about the investigation are available to be scrutinised.
The claims were made in local newspapers, allegedly by some officials from her office.
Mkhwebane says: “I would like to encourage that we study the report and get all the information. Again that will be the report or the records to the court on what has been investigated in the particular instance.”
Mkhwebane says there was never any complaint lodged about the Gupta family‘s alleged involvement in the Vrede Dairy project investigation, which started in 2013.
She says allegations about the Gupta involvement only emerged in 2017 when the report was completed.
“The issue of the Gupta leaks relating to Vrede, it happened in 2017. The investigation had already been long completed. And hence my request that some of the issues relating to the Guptas should be moved and there was never a complaint directly about Vrede relating to the Gupta issues.”
The questions of why she did not extend the scope of investigation into the so-call Gupta leaks continued.
NFP committee Sibusiso Mncwabe asked: ‘Now I will also ask in light of these allegations, is your office prepared to re-open the investigation in this matter because it has been all over in the public domain.”
“It’s there in the statement where I clarified the terms of reference where some of the issues which are indicated in the Gupta leaks, some of the issues which I was saying they can also be included in the terms of reference,” replied Mkhwebane.
As the proceedings continued, a group of Black First Land First members staged a silent protest inside the committee room, holding up placards in defence of Mkhwebane and criticising the committee.
Before BLF was removed, committee Chairperson Mathole Motshekga warned them against their protest and adjourned the meeting for a short while.
During the meeting, ANC MP Loyiso Mpulwana interjected as EFF member of the committee, Nthako Matiase, criticised the Public Protector.
The Public Protector said the 30-day period for the Free Sate Premier to act against the HOD of Agriculture, who is implicated in maladministration and disregard for PFMA in the project, has not yet expired.
In her remedial action, she recommended that the premier should take action against the HOD.
And in his closing remarks, Committee Chairperson Mathole Motshekga assured Mkhwebane that the meeting was not meant to attack her, but to get information from her directly and for MPs to carry out their oversight responsibility.
“We didn’t request you to put you on trial. We asked you to appear because we have a responsibility to defend and protect the office of the Public Protector. We also have the responsibility to ensure that you are not unfairly attacked, accused and when people are having their political fights they shouldn’t use this office or you in those fights.”
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