Former Public Protector and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party figure Busisiwe Mkhwebane has indicated she is open to becoming the party’s mayoral candidate for the City of Johannesburg, adding fresh momentum — and controversy — to an already crowded race ahead of the 2026 local government elections.
Speaking in an interview with IOL News, Mkhwebane, who currently serves as the MK Party’s Mpumalanga convener, said she believes she has the experience required to “turn things around” in Johannesburg.
Mkhwebane was removed as Public Protector in 2023 by President Cyril Ramaphosa after an inquiry into misconduct and incompetence — a decision she has repeatedly described as politically motivated.
‘More than capable’
Asked whether the MK Party had approached her to run in Joburg, Mkhwebane said the decision ultimately lies with former president Jacob Zuma, who leads the party.
“It’s not the MK Party; it’s the president who decides,” she said.
“I’m more than capable of doing any work, especially after almost seven years as Public Protector. My record speaks for itself.”
Although she expressed readiness to take on the role, she stressed that she would respect the party’s internal deployment decisions.
Pitching herself as a service-delivery fixer
Mkhwebane argued that her experience investigating maladministration, corruption and service delivery failures positions her well to tackle Johannesburg’s deepening crises.
“To be hands-on, you need somebody who understands communities, listens to the public, and works with them. Service delivery protests happen because authorities fail to listen,” she said.
She also emphasised the need for competent senior managers — particularly in water, sanitation and other technical portfolios — saying the city requires leaders “committed and service-delivery oriented”.
A race growing more crowded — and more political
The Joburg mayoral contest is heating up, with Helen Zille (DA) and Kenny Kunene (PA) already officially in the race.
Johannesburg continues to battle chronic service delivery failures, including water outages, electricity cuts, potholes, uncollected waste and malfunctioning traffic signals — issues that candidates are expected to centre their campaigns around.
The ANC has not yet announced whether it will retain incumbent mayor Dada Morero or introduce a new candidate.
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has also hinted he might run if his party cannot find a suitable candidate aligned with his governance standards.
Mkhwebane attacks rivals
Mkhwebane dismissed both Zille and Kunene as candidates who would allegedly prioritise particular communities at the expense of the broader city.
She claimed Zille would “not be bothered” about areas such as Hillbrow, and suggested Kunene would focus largely on coloured communities.
She also criticised the ANC for a decade of what she described as “simple service delivery issues that remain unaddressed”.
MK Party and others tight-lipped
Requests for comment from the MK Party’s national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela went unanswered.
The DA and PA confirmed receipt of media queries but did not respond by publication.
With multiple heavyweights expressing interest, Johannesburg is shaping up to become one of the most fiercely contested metros of the 2026 elections — and Mkhwebane’s potential entrance adds yet another layer to the political showdown.