Former Public Protector Mkhwebane quits EFF, politics
In her resignation to the Economic Freedom Fighters, Mkhwebane said she felt let down by the executive, the judiciary and Parliament.
FILE: Former Economic Freedom Fighters member of Parliament and former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on 20 October 2023. Picture: Supplied/@ParliamentofRSA/X
CAPE TOWN - Embattled former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has thrown in the towel on her short-lived political career, saying she needs to focus on her family.
In a social media post on Wednesday, Mkhwebane said she believed that the fight for freedom had been in vain and never had her rights been violated more than during her time as Public Protector.
She joined the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) exactly a year ago on 16 October, just weeks after her impeachment as the Public Protector, taking up a parliamentary seat days later.
On Tuesday, Mkhwebane still actively carried out her parliamentary duties as a member of the justice committee, where she accused the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) of being "weaponised" by the executive to deal with political opponents.
In her resignation to the Economic Freedom Fighters, Mkhwebane said she felt let down by the executive, the judiciary and Parliament.
@EFFSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/yysWrlQYlM
— Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane (@AdvBMkhwebane) October 16, 2024
In particular, Mkhwebane believes she’s become a target of the mainstream media, which she says attacked her character.
Mkhwebane said that her sin was to deliver reports on the reserve bank, the CR17 election campaign and Phala Phala and then to be punished for the outcome.
She was the first head of a Chapter 9 institution to be impeached by Parliament.
"Each step seemed more daunting than the last, and I found my strength dwindling. This is exactly what they wanted, to suffocate, humiliate and treat me less of a human being," she wrote in her resignation.
Mkhwebane said that during her tenure as Public Protector, her late mother was harassed and her family was attacked.
She went on to say there were attempts on her own life.
"In my time of need, you fighters extended a helping hand, becoming a refuge for me in the past 12 months. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope, and for that I'm deeply grateful."
Last week her husband, MK MP David Skosana was accused by Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka of threatening her staff if they did not pay Mkhwebane an end-of-service gratuity. Mkhwebane lost this battle in the North Gauteng High Court earlier in October.
Mkhwebane said that her decision to resign from politics was on the advice of her family and she would now fight for the vulnerable where possible.