Lerato Mbhiza
Former Public Protector advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has joined the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and on Monday during a media briefing, in Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga after she was sworn in, she vowed to abide by the objectives of the EFF.
“As the Public Protector, I always said I will protect the poor and marginalised. This has given me the opportunity to do that. I am a fighter.
“I will abide by the aims, objectives and radical policies of the Economic Freedom Fighters as set out in the constitution of the EFF. I voluntarily joined the EFF without any motive of personal or material benefit. I understand that I am not entitled to any position or deployment.
“I will participate in the life of the EFF to strive towards total emancipation of South Africa. I will do so as a loyal, active and disciplined freedom fighter.”
In welcoming Mkhwebane among its ranks, the EFF described Mkhwebane as a servant of the people of South Africa for the last seven years, who has been a thorn in the side of the establishment and those who abuse their power at the expense of the most vulnerable in South Africa.
Born and bred in Bethal in Mpumalanga, Mkhwebane has extensive experience in education and has held senior management positions, and brings this valuable expertise to the EFF ahead of the National and Provincial Elections in 2024.
“Further, Advocate Mkhwebane has been in civil service for decades, having served
as a Senior Researcher for the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), a Senior Investigator in the Office of the Public Protector, a Counsellor for Immigration and Civic Services in the South African Embassy in the People’s Republic of China, and a Director in the National Immigration Services at the Department of Home Affairs,” party spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said in a statement on Monday.
Mkhwebane served as a Public Protector d from 2016 up until her impeachment last month. During her tenure in office there were three consecutive clean audits from the Auditor-General between 2019 and 2022, along with a notable reduction in caseload.
The office also issued a total of 412 investigation reports and conducted 2,372 public education and outreach activities.
Of the 412 reports issued, 17 were subject to review and subsequently set aside by the courts.
Thambo said these were some of the reasons the EFF continues to celebrate Mkhwebane as one of the most successful Public Protectors of SA’s democracy, and view her abrupt removal as an act of hatred of a black woman by a racist organisations, in collaboration with a ruling party whose President Mkhwebane dared to challenge for his criminality.
“The EFF commends Advocate Mkhwebane for joining the EFF as a sign of her
continued opposition to corruption, state capture and the erosion of our Constitution
and democracy. Through her decision, she has shown that she is committed to the
future of this country, which undoubtedly lies in the EFF,” he said.
Mkhwebane’s seven-year term as Public Protector ended last month when she was removed following a Parliamentary inquiry.
The majority of members of Parliament voted to remove her as the Public Protector in support of the Section 194 Committee’s findings that deemed her incompetent, guilty of misconduct and unfit to hold office.
Section 194(3)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa stipulates that when the National Assembly adopts a resolution for the removal of the Public Protector, the President “must” remove the Public Protector from office.
In September, President Cyril Ramaphosa sent a formal notice to Mkhwebane regarding her removal from office.
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