Errol Horwitz
Although one should not draw definitive conclusions from her presentation to Parliament, there is warranted cause for concern. For example, she joined with some ANC MPs in expressing disdain for the term “state capture”. Whether she was giving a signal of where her loyalties lie, or naively sugar-coating the country’s pervasive political corruption, is unclear.
One thing is clear, however: Her presentation was heavy on form and light on the mandate “to strengthen constitutional democracy by investigating and redressing… maladministration… abuse of power in state affairs”.
Inasmuch as South Africa’s political landscape is a breeding ground for scepticism, Mkhwebane will have to categorically demonstrate that she will exercise her powers as public protector without fear or favour.
Her presentation to Parliament did little to allay scepticism that she would, in fact, do so. To put it bluntly, her actions since her maiden presentation to Parliament are harbingers of who she really is – another dyed-in-the-wool Zuma lackey.
