Busisiwe Mkhwebane Sets Her Sights on Joburg Mayor, But Can She Rewrite Her Legacy?

A controversial figure with renewed ambition

Johannesburg’s political landscape is no stranger to plot twists, but the latest development has stirred a fresh round of debate: former Public Protector and current MK Party MP, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, says she’s ready to take on the mayoral reins of South Africa’s biggest city.

Speaking to IOL News, Mkhwebane confidently declared that she has the experience needed to “turn things around” in a city battered by constant water outages, rolling blackouts, waste-management failures, and potholes that could swallow a Citi Golf.

And for many Joburg residents, frustration with failing infrastructure has made the idea of any committed leadership sound appealing, though opinions remain sharply divided on whether Mkhwebane is the right person for the job.

From Public Protector to political comeback attempt

Mkhwebane enters this conversation with a complicated reputation.

She was removed from office in 2023, dismissed by President Cyril Ramaphosa following findings of misconduct and incompetence a saga that dominated headlines and split public opinion. For her supporters, she was a fearless watchdog who took on powerful people. For her critics, she was reckless and politically captured.

Now, as the MK Party’s Mpumalanga convener, she appears ready to reinvent herself.

But first, the decision rests with one man: former president Jacob Zuma, who ultimately decides who the party fields as candidate.

“It’s not the MK Party, it’s the president who decides,” Mkhwebane said. “My record speaks for itself.”

Why Joburg? Mkhwebane explains her motivation

The former watchdog insists that her years investigating service-delivery failures, maladministration and corruption have prepared her for the Joburg mayoral challenge.

She argues that the real issue in local government isn’t always money, it’s leadership.

“You need somebody who understands communities, listens to the public, and is available,” she said. “Service delivery protests happen because authorities fail to listen.”

She also emphasised the importance of hiring competent Section 56 managers, a jab, perhaps, at the long-running complaints of politically connected officials lacking technical expertise in key departments like water and sanitation.

A crowded and colourful, field of contenders

The race for the mayoral chain is quickly becoming one of the most fiercely contested political battles ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

The candidates (confirmed and potential) already hint that this will be no ordinary campaign:

• Helen Zille (DA) – Former Cape Town mayor and Western Cape premier

• Kenny Kunene (PA) – MMC for Transport and well-known political firebrand

• Dada Morero (ANC) – Possibly returning, depending on ANC processes

• Herman Mashaba (ActionSA) – Considering a comeback if his party doesn’t find a stronger candidate

This mix, from veteran politicians to controversial personalities, reflects Joburg’s political melting pot.

Mkhwebane takes aim at competitors

If voters wanted diplomacy, they won’t find it here. Mkhwebane pulled no punches when speaking about her rivals.

She accused Zille of ignoring poor, predominantly black communities, claiming Hillbrow would fall even further through the cracks under DA leadership.

She dismissed Kenny Kunene as a candidate who would “serve coloured communities first,” arguing he lacks a city-wide vision.

And the ANC? According to her, a decade of leadership in Joburg has delivered little more than declining infrastructure and worsening service standards.

“Implementing bylaws, ensuring cleanliness, these are simple things,” she said. “Yet they remain unresolved.”

Public and social media reaction

Her comments set social media alight:

• “Mkhwebane wants Joburg? We must be living in a simulation.”

• “To be fair, Joburg is already broken, maybe someone who has seen dysfunction up close might fix it.”

• “If Zille, Kunene and Mkhwebane are the options, 2026 is going to be a spicy election.”

The responses reflect a mix of skepticism, curiosity, humour, and outright disbelief, all standard fare for South African political Twitter.

A bigger question: Can she shake off her past?

While Mkhwebane insists her seven years as Public Protector shaped her into a strong administrator, critics argue her legacy may overshadow her ambitions:

• Jacob Zuma’s heavy influence over MK Party decisions

• Her impeachment and removal

• Numerous court losses during her tenure

• The perception that she was politically aligned

Yet, Mkhwebane sees this moment as an opportunity, not a liability.

“I’m more than capable of doing any work,” she said.

What happens next?

With the MK Party declining to comment and other parties keeping their cards close, Mkhwebane’s possible mayoral bid remains just that possible.

But one thing is clear:
The fight for Johannesburg has officially begun.

And if early reactions are anything to go by, this will be one of the most watched and most unpredictable, races in the country.

{Source: IOL}

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