CGE's Botha set to get off scot-free on misconduct charges despite impeachment inquiry

CAPE TOWN - Gender Equality Commissioner Mbuyiselo Botha is set to get off scot-free on misconduct charges despite the National Assembly agreeing this week to initiate an impeachment inquiry against him. 
 
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has slammed the commission for being tardy in bringing to Parliament its misconduct complaint against Botha, which dates back to 2021. 
 
He's been paid more than R2 million in salary since a tussle over his suspension began for making disparaging and degrading remarks about fellow commissioners.
 
An independent judicial panel last month found sufficient evidence for Botha to face a parliamentary impeachment inquiry. 
 
The National Assembly has upheld the report's recommendation and has referred it to a Section 194 committee to initiate an inquiry.
 
But time is not on its side. 
 
With Botha's tenure as commissioner ending this month and with Parliament rising in two weeks' time, the process now appears moot.
 
The DA's Nazley Sharif: "The Commission for Gender Equality should have referred this matter directly to the National Assembly, especially spending too much time and too much money in court battles with the commissioner on the legality of his suspension."
 
Botha faces five misconduct charges, which Parliament's committee on women says are inconsistent with his responsibilities as a gender commissioner.