![Mkhwebane Rejects State Attorney's Services Section 194 Inquiry Delayed Again-SurgeZirc SA](https://surgezirc.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mkhwebane.png)
Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has declined the State Attorney’s services, further prolonging the investigation into her fitness to hold office.
Mkhwebane stated that the State Attorney was conflicted because the office was also working directly with the evidence leaders of the Section 194 inquiry.
Mkhwebane does not currently have an attorney of record at the inquiry because her new attorney was hospitalised over the weekend and his instruction was terminated.
The inquiry resumed on Friday, but it confronts new challenges as it attempts to fulfil its July deadline.
The Section 194 hearings were scheduled to resume on Friday, but were once again postponed due to Mkhwebane’s legal representation.
Isaac Chowe, State Attorney, told the meeting that they were appointed attorneys of record by the Public Protector’s office after her former lawyers were debriefed.
But, Mkhwebane has rejected their services.
“It is indeed so that the Public Protector is declining to be represented by State Attorney Pretoria or any other State attorney for that matter due to the issue of conflict of interest.”
Mkhwebane stated that she was not told when her attorneys were terminated and that she had sought her own counsel.
“You know I’m facing the State, which is represented by the State Attorney in all the matters where we litigated. Hence, as the Public Protector, we have a panel of attorneys.”
Mkhwebane stated that the inquiry could not continue with its hearings if her preferred attorneys of record were not present.