Economic Freedom Fighters statement on the appointment of Public Protector  

7 September 2016 

The Economic Freedom Fighters will vote for the appointment of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane to be appointed for the position of Public Protector South Africa. The EFF believes that of all the candidates that were interviewed for the position of Pubic Protector, Adv Mkhwebane demonstrated readiness to excellently perform the function of a Public Protector. The EFF was particularly impressed by the following; 

a) Her understanding of the Public Protector’s independence, and that it is accountable to the legally and principally Constitution, and administratively accountable to Parliament.

b) Her experience in establishing Offices of the Public Protector in accessible areas in her previous role as an employee in the Public Protector’s office. 

c) Her plans to enhance and harness the accessibility of the Public Protector’s Office, despite the resource limitations that define the Office.

d) Her attention to the details of what the Public Protector’s office should deal with in terms of the Constitution.

e) Her non-association with political parties and politicians as confirmed by her during the interviews.

f) Her senior management experience demonstrated through her occupation of senior positions in government and understanding of public administration.

g) Her plans to build relationships with the regional courts all over South Africa as access points to the office of the Public Protector. 

The EFF believes that these values makes Adv Mkhwebane the most suitable candidate for the office of the Public Protector, and we believe that she will hit the ground running. We believe that she must be given an opportunity and her integrity and values will be tested when she is in office. 

The EFF takes note of the information emerging that she is allegedly a secret agent with compromising proximity to Mr. Jacob Zuma. Adv Mkhwebane categorically said she is not close to any politician and she denied an allegation that she is a secret agent.

If contrary information in this regard emerges, such will entail that she would have been appointed on the basis of misrepresentation and such can be subject to a judicial review. The EFF chooses not to believe the secret agent allegation and proximity to Mr. Jacob Zuma until practical and sound evidence is brought to our attention. 

The EFF wishes Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane well in her new responsibility as Public Protector, and encourages her to defend the Constitution, and the rule of Law. Loyalty to any politician or political organisation will destroy her integrity and will recurrently be undermined through legal process due to the fact that majority of the binding remedial actions of the Public Protector will be subjected to judicial review. 

Issued by Floyd Shivambu, EFF Parliamentary Chief Whip, 7 September 2016