The EFF has suffered another high-profile departure, with former public protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, resigning from the party just a year after joining its ranks.
Mkhwebane’s exit follows closely on the heels of founding deputy president Floyd Shivambu’s departure to join the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party as national organiser.
Mkhwebane’s resignation letter to EFF president Julius Malema and the party’s leadership expressed her disillusionment with the party, stating that “our fight for freedom was in vain”.
This sentiment is particularly significant, given her previous role as PP and her subsequent appointment as an EFF MP, where she served on the justice and constitutional development committee.
The EFF has been plagued by prominent member departures since the May 29 elections, raising concerns about internal dynamics and the party’s ability to retain key figures.
EFF spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys has yet to comment on Mkhwebane’s resignation after The Star made efforts to get hold of her and Malema.
Mkhwebane’s departure highlights the challenges faced by the EFF in maintaining unity and momentum.
As the party navigates these changes, its leadership will be under scrutiny to address internal issues and reassure supporters of its continued relevance in South African politics.
Mkhwebane denied that she would be joining the MK Party, although she acknowledged that it was not implausible, following much conjecture about her future.
Speaking to The Star on Wednesday, Mkhwebane said she was in financial difficulty, blaming President Cyril Ramaphosa of being hell-bent on destroying her and her career.
“They are coming from all angles because I was doing my job…I’m lucky because Advocate (Dali) Mpofu has always been there for me and he is not doing it pro-bono but understands that as soon as I’m well, financially I’ll pay,” she said.
She said that “black” lawyers were staying away from her because they felt they would be persecuted.
“Somebody was telling me that when Ramaphosa was away somewhere in Washington, his people would ask him when he was removing me when I was still PP.
“…These people will make you suffer. It’s known that I won’t be able to get any position in Ramaphosa’s administration…Ramaphosa is after me,” Mkhwebane said.
She said that as a result, she had planned to spend time with her family while seeking a job as a “technocrat” with the AU or the UN.
“As a technocrat, I’m going back to my roots after I rest. Will find something at the UN or the AU but I’m the enemy of the West so it could be that I don’t get anything for now. But I feel like I can contribute there.”
In the resignation letter she penned to the EFF leadership, Mkhwebane stated: “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.
“In my time of need, you fighters extended me a helping hand, becoming a refuge for me over the past 12 months. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope and for that I am deeply grateful.”
She further intimated that the MK Party had approached her to join it but “I thought it best to take some time to reflect”.
Fellow EFF official and “comrade” Carl Niehaus, speaking to The Star yesterday, said the news of Mkhwebane’s departure was a surprise to him.
“This came as a surprise to me… Not so long ago she said she would never leave the EFF. I’m deeply disappointed with her decision and I think it’s a wrong decision,” he said.
There has been widespread speculation that Niehaus himself would be leaving the EFF for the MK Party, however, he has stood his ground that he would not be leaving the party.
MK Party spokesperson, Nhlamulo Ndhlela, said he was not aware of Mkhwebane joining the Jacob Zuma-led party.
Attempts to get comment from Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
The Star
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