Parliament - A panel of MPs will on Thursday morning begin the gruelling task of interviewing over a dozen top candidates to succeed Thuli Madonsela as Public Protector.
The 16-hour interview session in the National Assembly on Thursday has led to serious concerns from Corruption Watch that it could impact on the selection of the best candidate.
But chairwoman of the committee Makhosi Khoza said it was in the best interests of the country to conduct the interview on the same day to prevent an unfair advantage of some candidates over others if the interviews were held over several days.
The ad hoc committee on the appointment of the Public Protector is expected to ask tough questions on the 14 candidates including Western Cape High Court Judge Siraj Desai and his counterpart from the Joburg High Court Sharise Weiner.
Willie Hofmeyr, the senior prosecutor in the National Prosecuting Authority, will also be interviewed .
Parliament’s former legal adviser advocate Nonkosi Cetywayo and former deputy public protector Mamiki Goodman are also in the running for the job.
Madonsela’s current deputy, advocate Kevin Malunga, and executive director of the Southern Africa Litigation Centre Kaajal Ramjathan-Keogh are also set to be interviewed by MPs.
Other candidates are attorney Busi Mkhwebane, advocate Michael Mthembu, Jill Oliphant, Bongani Majola, Muvhango Lukhaimane, Chris Mokoditwa and Narnia Bohler-Muller.
Political Bureau