COSATU slams Mkhwebane over her Indian descent comments

CAPE TOWN - The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has added its condemnation to utterances made about judicial officers by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP) Busisiwe Mkhwebane.

The former Public Protector lashed out on X earlier this week after the Supreme Court of Appeal struck her application related to her impeachment inquiry from the roll. 

READ: Mkhwebane blames judicial officers of Indian descent for her misfortunes in court

COSATU said Mkhwebane has behaved in a shameful manner and her remarks about judicial officers of Indian descent could be considered hate speech. 

On Thursday, Parliament also rebuked Mkhwebane for the racial slurs and what it said was unwarranted criticism against two of its legal advisors.

READ: Parliament rebukes Mkhwebane for impugning the dignity of 2 of its legal advisors

In her X post, Mkhwebane said she's been persecuted particularly by lawyers and judges of Indian heritage.

COSATU spokesperson, Matthew Parks said parliament should hold her accountable for her remarks. 

"It's beyond shameful that a member of parliament whose salary is paid for by workers can engage in hate speech. The sixth parliament passed the Prevention and Combating of Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Bill, which criminalises such conduct," said Parks.

Meanwhile a judgment is expected next Wednesday in another case in which Mkhwebane is challenging a decision not to pay her an estimated R10 million gratuity after she was impeached as Public Protector a month before her seven-year term ended.