Applicants for Thuli's job warned: don't waste time

05/05/2016. Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela smiles as she addresses the media about the Operation Hlasela report and the report on SASSA's involvement in an ANCYL rally in 2009. Picture: Masi Losi

05/05/2016. Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela smiles as she addresses the media about the Operation Hlasela report and the report on SASSA's involvement in an ANCYL rally in 2009. Picture: Masi Losi

Published Jun 6, 2016

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Cape Town - The hunt is on for the new public protector after the ad hoc committee in Parliament reminded the public to apply for the job now and avoid a last-minute rush.

The committee, chaired by ANC MP Makhosi Khoza, said on Sunday people interested in the job should not waste any time.

Opposition parties have also encouraged all suitably qualified candidates to take up the opportunity and apply.

The committee has set the end of June as a deadline for potential candidates to apply.

Parliament needs to appoint Thuli Madonsela’s successor by the end of August.

MPs in the committee expressed concern that they will need to get all the nominations and applications in time for the end of June deadline.

This would allow MPs to screen all the candidates and allow for a period of objections by members of the public.

The ad hoc committee said on Sunday the process was now open for nominations and applications.

Once the applications have come through on June 24, the ad hoc committee will give another week to screen the applications and nominations.

MPs want to have everything completed by the end of August.

The next two months will be critical for the committee as it will have to shortlist the candidates, subject the successful ones to a verification process and then interview them.

MPs agreed that while they would allow the public to make submissions on questions to be asked to the candidates, only MPs would pose oral questions in the selection process.

The ANC has promised a fair and credible process in Parliament. Khoza said they would make the process as public as possible.

The EFF said there was huge public interest in the selection of Madonsela’s successor.

This was based on Madonsela’s strong track record in clamping down on corruption and investigating top government officials, including President Jacob Zuma, without fear or favour.

The committee has given itself the task of meeting Parliament’s deadline of August, before Madonsela’s term of office expires in October.

MPs said this would allow the incoming public protector time to settle in and Madonsela to have time to hand over the reins.

Political Bureau

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