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FIGHT AND FLIGHT

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.
Suné Payne
By Suné Payne
16 Oct
ODsune-Busi Busisiwe Mkhwebane is sworn in as a member of Parliament on 20 October 2023. (Photo: Gallo Images / Brenton Geach)

‘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

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John P 16 October 2024 12:41 PM

And her announcement that she is joining the MKP is expected soon?

m***n@c***.org 16 October 2024 01:14 PM

The MK announcement is without a doubt on the way!

Malcolm McManus 16 October 2024 01:43 PM

Yip, the EFF sewerage pit has a significant feces leak.

nicholasandrewmiles 16 October 2024 12:56 PM

countdown to her joining MK...5...4.....3....2.....

T'Plana Hath 16 October 2024 12:59 PM

I can't wait to never hear about her again.

louw.nic 16 October 2024 01:48 PM

She is overdue for an award (+ large gratuity) from the Dunning-Kruger Institute for Geniuses

laurantsystems 16 October 2024 04:35 PM

Well at least she did one thing right. By resigning, she's increased the average IQ of both parliament and the EFF.

JDW 2023 16 October 2024 01:52 PM

Bye Felicia

rswedlake 16 October 2024 01:59 PM

I hope this is the last news article we have to endure about this woman.

Confucious Says 16 October 2024 02:05 PM

So the eff-ers couldn't pay or give the "victory" they had promised... and now she needs to rest. Must take so much effort, being so bad at your job.

alastairmgf 16 October 2024 02:42 PM

“Fighting for the vulnerable”. Yeah right!!

Johnny Bravo 16 October 2024 03:32 PM

The problem with our socialists is they're so bad at it. No strategic nuance and infantile approaches to the Marxist process. They just wanna get rich quick. Socialism takes time. Ask Zuma.

Johnny Bravo 16 October 2024 03:52 PM

I mean, he had to suffer through 30 years of victimhood and championing the plight of the masses, including a double-term as president, to get his Nkandla.

Dermot Quinn 16 October 2024 02:59 PM

Sad when people get promoted above their capability to be puppets, get abused by their seniors to do things and then get punished as if they were up to the job. Her career is mostly done...now she going from port to starboard on the Titanic...

GO 16 October 2024 03:29 PM

Nobody held a gun to her head Dermot. She had it all and she blew it. She was always a Zupta supporter and the chickens came home to roost.

laurantsystems 16 October 2024 04:36 PM

What do you mean? The lady is not only an LLB graduate (LOL!) but also a hot-shot advocate. A true poster child for cadre excellence....

D'Esprit 16 October 2024 03:02 PM

I thought she needed that R10m to sustain her lifestyle? Now she can toss a R1.3m salary to the wind? Or is she going to plead poverty to avoid paying the mounting cost orders against her? Good riddance!

Robinson 16 October 2024 03:16 PM

Hmph.

GO 16 October 2024 03:26 PM

Go join your other crooked mates at MK?

Johnny Bravo 16 October 2024 03:28 PM

Shem. Heal and rest Busi. See ya in green shortly.

Indeed Jhb 16 October 2024 11:52 PM

Preferably orange

albertg.glass 16 October 2024 03:36 PM

In many quarters this impeached person will be regarded as a clown , even a fool !!. And all this histrionics at taxpayers expense!!. She must be dishonourably discharged from all public office...

Cachunk 16 October 2024 03:51 PM

She's more than qualified to join mk; she's a moron, barely articulate, racist, a career victim, useless and has as about much charm as an amoeba. She'll give shower-head's daughter a run for her money!

Johnny Bravo 16 October 2024 04:05 PM

Something tells me the big daddy is unimpressed with her lack of stamina. 2 or 3 lost court cases is hardly making the case for her to be serially oppressed victim championing the plight of the masses she represents. And worse, it looked like she actually wanted the money. Zuma will not happy.

Peter 16 October 2024 04:11 PM

The only thing I would miss about the legally incompetent ex non public protector is Zapiro's perfect characterisation.

Bob 17 October 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 17 October 2024 07:53 AM

What an insult to black minds!

Neil T. 17 October 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 17 October 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!

Jennifer D 17 October 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 17 October 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

r***e@g***.com 17 October 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