Cape Town – The Ad Hoc Committee that was established to facilitate the appointment of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s successor says 21 nominations to fill the post have been received.
Dr Makhosi Khoza, the Chairperson of the committee, said nominations have largely come from members of the public and no Members of Parliament were part of the list of nominations.
The Chairperson updated the media on the processes of consolidating nominees for the post on Wednesday.
“The Ad Hoc Committee … has thus far received 21 nominations and applications for the position of Public Protector,” she said.
The Public Protector’s term in office comes to an end in October after she assumed office in 2009.
According to the Constitution, a person who gets appointed to the position can only serve for one term.
Khoza said despite this, members of the public have continued to nominate the incumbent Public Protector.
“The nominations received included, amongst others, the current standing Public Protector [Madonsela] and her Deputy Advocate Kevin Malunga.
“Advocate Madonsela’s name was nominated despite the legislative constraints … which limits an incumbent to occupying the office for only one term,” she said.
The closing date for members of the public to nominate or apply for the position of Public Protector is 24 June 2016.
Shortly after the committee was appointed, it adopted a programme that was anchored on public participation.
The committee advertised the vacancy on 3 June 2016 in all major national, regional and local newspapers, radio stations as well as on Parliament’s multimedia platforms.
The advertisement invited members of the public to nominate their preferred candidates and encouraged citizens who believed they were capable to fill the position to apply.
While the work of the committee might be impacted by the election campaigns with committee members currently criss-crossing the country to do constituency work, Khoza said the programme and timelines that have already been made public will remain intact, allowing for flexibility.
She said members of the public will be able to make their comments or objections between 27 June and 1 July 2016.
After the public participation process, the committee will convene for shortlisting during the week of 11 to 15 July 2016 with interviews expected to be held on 10 August 2016.
The programme has been formulated to ensure the committee is able to table its report of its preferred nominee to the National Assembly on 31 August 2016.
The Ad Hoc Committee nominee would have to be supported by more than 60% of National Assembly members before the President can act on it.
“All nominations and applications will be published in the week after the 24 June deadline.
“The names will be made public on the Parliament website and social media platforms and there will be an e-mail address where people can send their comments or objections,” she said.
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