By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has thrown in the towel on her short-lived political career, to focus on her family.
Mkhwebane took to X (formerly Twitter) to post her resignation letter which she had sent to Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema and other party leaders.
“Today I’m saying goodbye to you, fighters. 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,” she wrote.
Mkhwebane said she felt let down by the executive, the judiciary and Parliament.
In particular, Mkhwebane believes she’s become a target of the mainstream media, which she says attacked her character.
Mkhwebane said that her sin was to deliver reports on the reserve bank, the CR17 election campaign and Phala Phala and then to be punished for the outcome.
She was the first head of a Chapter 9 institution to be impeached by Parliament.
“Each step seemed more daunting than the last, and I found my strength dwindling. This is exactly what they wanted, to suffocate, humiliate and treat me less of a human being,” she wrote in her resignation.
Mkhwebane said that during her tenure as Public Protector, her late mother was harassed and her family was attacked.
She went on to say there were attempts on her own life.
“In my time of need, you fighters extended a helping hand, becoming a refuge for me in the past 12 months. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope, and for that I’m deeply grateful.”
Mkhwebane joined the EFF a year ago after being impeached as Public Protector for incompetence, and was later sworn in as a Member of Parliament for the party, where she actively carried out her parliamentary duties as a member of the justice committee.