EFF welcomes former Public Protector Advocate Mkhwebane as a member of the EFF

17 October 2023

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes former Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, as a member of the EFF after her announcement at a press conference held earlier today.

Advocate Mkhwebane has been servant of the people of the people of South Africa for the last seven years, and 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 the province of Mpumalanga, Advocate Mkhwebane has extensive experience in education and senior management, and brings this valuable expertise to the EFF as we head into governance after 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.

She additionally served South Africa diligently as a Public Protector during her seven-year tenure as the Public Protector from 2016 up until her untimely and politically motivated impeachment in 2023. 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. Impressively, of the 412 reports issued, only 17 were subject to review and subsequent set aside by the courts.

It is on this basis that the EFF continues to celebrate Advocate Mkhwebane as one of the most successful Public Protectors of our democracy, and view her abrupt removal as an act of hatred of a black woman by a racist organisation, 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.

The EFF will continue to welcome professionals, leaders of civil society and all ordinary people into the ranks of our organisation. The Road To Victory In 2024 Has Begun And All Progressives Forces Must Join The EFF Today!

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 17 October 2023