Standing for the truth cost Mkhwebane dearly

Busisiwe Mkhwebane has reflected on a deeply personal moment of watching recent court developments unfold while in an ordinary setting at a nail salon, saying it stirred memories of years of legal and political conflict that shaped her tenure and aftermath as Public Protector.

She described watching television coverage as emotionally heavy, recalling how successive court judgments over time affected her confidence and public standing. According to her account, she initially approached the latest developments with scepticism, shaped by what she says were years of adverse outcomes in politically charged cases involving senior political figures and institutions.

Mkhwebane said the experience brought back memories of what she describes as sustained ridicule from sections of the media and political parties, including the ANC, DA, FF Plus and ACDP, as well as prolonged legal and institutional battles that defined her time in office.

She linked her personal and professional struggles to high-profile political controversies, including matters involving President Cyril Ramaphosa, saying the broader constitutional disputes became deeply personal for her.

While acknowledging the public nature of the cases, she said the experience came at significant personal cost, including strain on her family and financial difficulties following her departure from office. She also reiterated grievances about unresolved benefits, including what she claims was a withheld gratuity.

Despite the prolonged difficulties she described, Mkhwebane said the delivery of multiple judgments brought her a sense of emotional relief and vindication, even if it did not erase the broader impact of her experiences.