Siyabonga Mkhwanazi
A TOTAL of 21 people were nominated for the position of public protector and the process of verifying their qualifications would start in the coming weeks, chairperson of the ad hoc in Parliament, Makhosi Khoza, said yesterday.
“The verification process is going to be twofold. We are going to have our own process done by our own team; that process is critical in assessing the fit and proper person.”
She added that security agencies would also verify the qualifications of the candidates, including their past.
Outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was among the nominees and while Khoza said the fact that Madonsela was nominated was a good thing, the law and the constitution prevent her from serving a second term.
The committee has until the end of August to appoint the new public protector before approval by Parliament.
Khoza declined to name the other 19 candidates, but said they were all highly qualified and competent people.
It is understood Madonsela’s deputy, Kevin Malunga, is also in contention.
Khoza said the information of all the candidates would be made available next week, after perusing all the necessary information.
The committee chairperson was also happy that no politician or party had nominated any of the candidates, but that the public did the nominating.
Khoza sad this depoliticised the whole process of appointing the new public protector.
She said it was going to be a rigorous process to appoint Madonsela’s successor.
“This is not going to be a ticking exercise. The people who have been nominated, it’s going to be difficult for the committee judging by the quality of people nominated.”