National New protector takes placatory stance BL PREMIUM

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane was moving to mend ties with the government that were ruptured during her predecessor’s term, sources close to the office said Thursday. Mkhwebane took over the reins at the beginning of this week and has wasted little time turning things around. She has shifted key senior officials close to Thuli Madonsela, asked that the television channels in the office reception be changed from eNCA to the Gupta-owned ANN7 and told staff that the office existed to work with government and not to be its enemy. There is a question mark about what her approach towards the state capture report will be. The report, which centres on President Jacob Zuma’s relationship with the Gupta family, was finalised by Madonsela on her last day. On Friday she is expected to file an affidavit responding to Zuma and Co-operative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen’s court bid to prevent the report’s release. Mkhwebane said at a media briefing on Thursday that she was taking advice...