Profile of the Public Protector, Adv Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana

Born in 1948 at Bordeaux in Limpopo Province, Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana studied through the University of South Africa and obtained a B Juris degree. He also attended the University of Zululand where he obtained two legal diplomas and later also an LLB degree.

He started his legal career in 1972 as an interpreter of the Magistrate's Court in Mhala, Bushbuckridge and became a Public Prosecutor there three years later. By 1977 he had risen to the position of Magistrate and served in Malamulele, Ritavi, Giyani and Mhala districts respectively. At the time of his resignation in 1986 due to political activities, he was Principal Magistrate.

Twice detained under the old Apartheid State of Emergency Regulations, he was later admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa and went on to establish his own firm in 1992. He also has the right of appearance in the High Court.

Mr Mushwana has had a distinguished career in government and has led a number of delegations on international Parliamentary tours. He has also served on several Parliamentary committees. Amongst others, he co-chaired the Joint Parliamentary Budget Committee and the Code of Conduct and Ethics Committee. He has served as Chairperson of committees and also on the Audit Commission and the Judicial Services Commission. He participated in the drawing up of the South African Constitution and is well known for his role as Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces. He resigned from this position to take up office as the second Public Protector of South Africa on 1 November 2002.

He is actively involved in community service and is renowned for his language proficiency. As a law student, he obtained a distinction in Practical Afrikaans. He is also fluent in English, Xitsonga, Zulu, Northern Sotho, Swazi and Xhosa. In addition, he is conversant in Southern Sotho, Venda and Setswana.