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Busi Mkhwebane quits EFF to ‘rest’, after earlier claiming she would 'never betray the fighters'

Two months after claiming her resignation from the EFF was ‘fake news’, impeached former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has resigned from the party, and thereby her seat in Parliament.
Busi Mkhwebane quits EFF to ‘rest’, after earlier claiming she would 'never betray the fighters'
Suné Payne
By Suné Payne
16 Oct 2024
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‘Today, I’m saying goodbye to you, Fighters,” advocate Mkhwebane said on Wednesday morning on X, marking her exit from the party that once rejected her nomination as Public Protector. 

In August, she claimed the SABC had spread “fake news” about her leaving the EFF, saying: “I will never betray the fighters my political home.” 




Now, on Wednesday via her X account and an appearance on the SMWX, she indicated she would resign “soon from the party”. 

Her statement read: “After careful consideration and talking to my family, they advised and felt I needed to go away. Spend time with them, rest and continue to fight for the vulnerable where possible.” 

Her husband, David Skosana, is an uMkhonto Wesizwe party MP. Last week, during a justice committee meeting in Parliament about the annual report of the Public Protector South Africa, Skosana and Mkhwebane caused an uproar over claims of threats against the current senior leadership of that office. 

Read more: Gcaleka vs Mkhwebane — Public Protector clashes with impeached predecessor over ‘disrespect’, ‘threats’

Read more: MK Party Skosana’s latest ‘Cyber bully’ revelation against Public Protector CEO calls for sanction

She wrote on Wednesday: “In my time of need, you Fighters extended a helping hand, becoming a refuge for me over the past 12 months.” 

Mkhwebane had thus submitted a letter of resignation as an MP to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Parliamentary spokesperson Moloto Mothapo confirmed to Daily Maverick on Wednesday.

Mkhwebane became the first Public Protector to be impeached in September 2023, following a protracted inquiry into her fitness to hold office. Exactly a year ago -  on 16 October 2023 -  she joined the EFF, and was soon sworn in as an MP - serving on the Justice and Correctional Services oversight committee - the same one that oversees the Public Protector’s office.

A request  by Daily Maverick for a response from Mkhwebane was not immediately forthcoming. DM

This is a developing story.

Comments (4)

rudi.coetsee@gmail.com Oct 17, 2024, 08:22 AM

Lol, this is so funny. Thanx for all the laughs over the last few years. You were truly a wonderful clown

Jennifer D Oct 17, 2024, 08:06 AM

This is not about one person who accepted a position she was unqualified for, this is about why this is happening in almost every SA government department. Inappropriate leadership, lack of strategy, inability to see the consequences of poor performance. I feel sad for her, being attacked by many.

Indeed Jhb Oct 17, 2024, 09:46 AM

You are absolutely correct about the departments. Difference is they are protected by the Minister and the rest by DG and DDG's. So useless is not exposed just rolled over and continue as usual. I however do not feel sorry for her, her arrogance killed that for me

Neil T. Oct 17, 2024, 06:22 AM

Good riddance — she has been proven to be useless, incompetent, racist and captured. I sincerely hope that we don’t have to hear about her ever again!

Cachunk Oct 17, 2024, 07:56 AM

“After careful consideration and talking to my family, they advised and felt I needed to go away.” Couldn’t agree more!

Muishond X Oct 17, 2024, 03:41 AM

I like the way Floyd describes her as one of the most brilliant black minds the country has ever seen. She will most defintely then be an "asset" to the MK party....he he....

Cachunk Oct 17, 2024, 07:53 AM

What an insult to black minds!