Ms Mkhwebane said her “crimes” were her contributions to the South African Reserve Bank, CR17, and investigating the Phala Phala scandal. (Photo: X)
Former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has resigned from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) a year after joining the party, in a series of high-profile members leaving the party since the May 29 election. He became the newest member.
Mkhwebane, who has been an EFF member of Parliament, also submitted his resignation to Parliament Speaker Thoko Didiza on Wednesday morning.
She was removed as public protector last year after parliament voted to impeach her, but has since lost a number of legal battles with the state, most recently demanding the government pay R10 million in alimony. I tried to force it and failed.
Mr Mkhwebane was subsequently appointed as an EFF Member of Parliament and represented the Judiciary and Constitutional Development Committee.
In his resignation letter to EFF president Julius Malema and the party leadership, Mkhwebane said he had realized over the past seven years that “our struggle for freedom has been futile.”
“I have never felt my rights violated as much as I did when I was a protector in South Africa,” Mkhwebane wrote.
“This situation continued even after I was unconstitutionally removed from office by Parliament and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.”
Ms Mkhwebane said she was “disappointed” by the judiciary, parliament, the executive and “particularly the mainstream media that seems to have a mission to target and attack my persona”.
“I could feel my strength failing as each step seemed harder than the last. This was exactly what they wanted, to suffocate me, humiliate me, treat me less than human. ”Mkhwebane wrote.
She said her “crime” was investigating the South African Reserve Bank, the CR17 donation and the Farah Farah scandal.
“My crime was to communicate reports and findings to certain people who were offended and felt they had to be dealt with harshly. My family was attacked and my mother, who later died, was a journalist. I have never known peace due to harassment from others. I survived many times while there were plans to take my life,” she wrote.
She thanked the party for supporting her “in her time of need”.
“After careful consideration and discussion with my family, they have advised me that I need to leave the house to spend time with them, rest, and continue to fight for vulnerable people in any way that I can,” he said. I felt it,” she wrote.
“You have all extended a helping hand to me in my time of need and been a refuge for me over the past 12 months. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope and I am deeply grateful.” said Mkhwebane in the letter.
From now on, he said, “I will focus on spending precious time with my family.''
Mr Mkhwebane's departure from the Red Berets follows that of founding vice-president Floyd Shivambu, who is currently the national organizer of the Umkhonto Wisizwe (MK) party.
However, party spokesperson Nhlamulo Nderela said he was unaware of her plans to join the MK party.
EFF spokeswoman Leanne Mathis did not respond to a request for comment at the time of writing.
