Suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has been told to move out of her home at the prestigious ministerial Bryntirion estate near the Union Buildings.
She has been living in the facility since 2017, citing concerns for her safety. She initially moved into a house in the facility at a monthly rent (at that time) of R54 000 a month. This was covered by the Public Protector’s office. In 2021, she moved into a smaller unit, for which the Public Protector’s Office paid R11 000 a month.
The total cost is estimated at some R4m. A legal opinion found that Mkhwebane’s conditions of service did not provide for this accommodation; the Public Protector’s office regards the expenditure as irregular.
A threat assessment by the South African Police Service could not verify a threat to Mkhwebane’s life.
Mkhwebane was informed last month that the Public Protector’s office would be terminating the lease for the home. She responded that while she would leave the property, ‘I reserve all my rights relating to this matter.’
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