Public Protector conveys her condolences following the passing of renowned human rights lawyer, Ms. Pricilla Jana

Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Sunday expressed her sadness at the passing of Commissioner and Deputy Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Ms. Pricilla Jana, who died on Saturday.

In Ms. Jana's passing, said Adv. Mkhwebane, the country has been robbed of one of its most versatile and loyal servants, who contributed selflessly over decades in the fight for a free, just and democratic South Africa; and in law-making, public sector accountability, promotion of human rights and diplomacy in the post-1994 era.

Adv. Mkhwebane, who also chairs the Forum for Institution Supporting Democracy (FISD) — a structure constituted by independent institutions with a constitutional mandate to support and strengthen democracy including those established under Chapter 9 of the Constitution such as her office and the SAHRC — described Ms. Jana as one of South Africa's most recognised doyennes of human rights lawyers.

"She will be remembered for the courage with which she took on the oppressive National Party regime over the injustices visited upon leading anti-apartheid activists including the late former President, Nelson Mandela and several of his contemporaries," she said.

She added that Ms. Jana's passing was a huge loss to the FISD, which seeks to promote an effective and efficient public administration and to protect the governing principles established by the Constitution.