Mkhwebane's race-baiting is a desperate attempt to deflect accountability

3 October 2024

The Democratic Alliance (DA) finds the inflammatory and racially charged comments made by former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane in her recent response to the Supreme Court of Appeal's judgment utterly unacceptable. It is disgraceful for Ms. Mkhwebane to resort to race-baiting as a means of deflecting from her failures and the overwhelming evidence that led to her removal from office.

The judgment was clear and unequivocal: Ms. Mkhwebane’s appeal was found to be frivolous and without merit. Instead of accepting accountability, she chooses to make baseless accusations against individuals of Indian descent, attempting to cast herself as a victim rather than acknowledging the consequences of her actions.

This behaviour not only offends but reveals a profound lack of understanding of the principles of justice and accountability that should guide our democratic institutions.

The DA stands firmly for the rule of law and will not tolerate any attempts to undermine it through such disgraceful tactics. The position of Public Protector requires an individual of high moral integrity and character - qualities that Ms. Mkhwebane has repeatedly demonstrated she does not possess.

Let us be clear: her desperate attempts to invoke race will fail, just as her tenure in office did. South Africa deserves better leadership, and we are committed to ensuring that our institutions are held to the highest standards of accountability.

Issued by Glynnis Breytenbach, DA Spokesperson on Justice and Constitutional Development, 3 October 2024