Hamilton Samuel was suspended by Busisiwe Mkhwebane back in March after writing an open letter calling for her resignation. 

Samuel said Mkhwebane was unfit to hold office and should rather leave her duties. He, in an interview with OFM News recently, confirmed that he has not backed down on his call. He maintains Mkhwebane has brought the Chapter 9 Institution into disarray and has on several occasions failed to uphold the office's mandate - nor has she conducted thorough investigations on various cases. 

Samuel, who was served with a notice of suspension on March 11, further maintains being placed on suspension has not restored his confidence regarding Mkhwebane’s interests and capabilities as a public servant, nor has he changed his mind about her leadership skills.

He told OFM News the controversial multi-million rand Estina Dairy Project in the province remains a classic example of how Mkhwebane fails to do her job, and prioritises the interests of certain politicians before that of the public.

Releasing 14 investigative reports last month, Mkhwebane outlined that a report into Estina Dairy Farm can be expected by the end of October. She confirmed investigations into the role played by politicians in the project were almost complete with her office having identified all implicated parties and served them with notices. Mkhwebane said some parties who were served with notices requested more time to adequately consider its content before preparing their responses. 

Following Samuel’s suspension back in March, Mkhwebane’s spokesperson Oupa Segalwe told OFM News the decision taken against Samuel was not a sanction, but a measure to allow investigations into his conduct to be carried out without any obstructions.

He said Samuel wrote the letter using office resources, including a branded letterhead, and that he abused the office's facilities to pursue his own vendetta. He added that Samuel incited staff to turn against the Public Protector.

Segalwe further said Samuel’s suspension came at a time when he was also due to undergo a disciplinary hearing for an unrelated matter, and that he will receive his full pay during the suspension.

OFM News