The suspension of public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane by President Cyril Ramaphosa pending a parliamentary inquiry into her competence demonstrates the danger of the ANC’s redeployment policy. It parachutes ill-suited cadres to top positions, destroying democratic institutions, their careers and, ultimately, confidence in democracy.

Mkhwebane’s appalling decisions, actions and behaviour have tarnished the credibility of this important constitutional office, plunged it into disarray and undermined its operations and effectiveness.

Mkhwebane, handpicked by the ANC leadership, was foisted into the position above more suitable, competent and publicly credible candidates in October 2016 by the ANC using its parliamentary majority. To give this a veneer of “independent” decision-making, ANC insiders set up a false flag by informally suggesting judge Siraj Desai was earmarked by the party, but that Mkhwebane was then president Jacob Zuma’s preferred candidate...