Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has officially announced her resignation from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) during an episode of Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh’s podcast.
Story Summary:
- Busisiwe Mkhwebane announced her resignation from the EFF, stating her dissatisfaction with the limited impact she could make as an MP.
- The former Public Protector hinted at possibly joining the MK Party, mentioning they had approached her several times.
- Her resignation follows a recent Supreme Court of Appeal ruling that dismissed her appeal related to the Section 194 inquiry that led to her removal.
Busisiwe Mkhwebane on why she resigned from EFF
Mkhwebane cited her frustrations with the limitations she encountered as a Member of Parliament (MP), where she felt her impact was significantly diminished compared to her tenure as the Public Protector.
She explained:
“Politics is not my space…the impact I used to make as a Public Protector is not the impact which I am currently making because I’m an ordinary MP.”
Her decision to leave the EFF also stems from her disillusionment with the lack of power to effect meaningful change in her current role.
Mkhwebane lamented:
“When you don’t have numbers, there’s nothing you can do,” referring to the limited influence smaller parties, like the EFF, hold in Parliament.
She further pointed to failures of governance, particularly criticising the DA’s performance in Tshwane, where she said, “they don’t care about Hammanskraal…people are dying of diarrhoea,” in reference to the lack of service delivery.
What’s next for the former Public Protector?
Mkhwebane’s resignation from the EFF has sparked speculation about her next move.
When asked about the possibility of joining the newly formed MK Party, she acknowledged that the party had approached her “several times” but did not confirm any definitive plans.
This development comes in the wake of a recent ruling against her in the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), which struck her application to appeal the decisions of the Section 194 inquiry that led to her removal as Public Protector.
Mkhwebane had attempted to challenge her impeachment, but the SCA found that her application was not properly placed before the court and struck it from the roll, with costs.
The court’s decision has added to her legal and political battles, further complicating her post-impeachment path.
Amid this resignation, Mkhwebane’s political future remains uncertain, though her acknowledgement of discussions with the MK Party has fueled speculation that she may pivot towards a different political avenue.
This shift also comes at a time when several prominent figures within the EFF, including former leaders, have left the party, raising questions about its internal dynamics.