The process to find a successor to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has started in Parliament.
Madonsela’s term of office ends in October.
Reading out a draft resolution to the parliamentary programming committee this morning, House chairperson Cedric Frolick said that an ad hoc committee needed to be established to select a suitable candidate.
This would take place next week.
The committee would consist of 11 members – 6 from the ANC, two from the DA, one from the EFF and two from the smaller parties.
Parties have been urged to forward the names of members who will sit on the committee “as soon as possible”, even though the committee can only be established after the resolution is put to the National Assembly for adoption next Tuesday.
The committee would report back to Parliament by 31 August.
“After next week, there is a lengthy constituency break,” said Frolick. “We want the chair to be elected next week to start the process of advertising,” said Frolick.
In order to complete its work in time, the committee would need to convene during the break, he said.
Parliament is due to rise at the end of next week for an extraordinary two-month constituency period to enable political parties to campaign in the build-up to the local government elections on August 3.
Members are due to return on 16 August.
In terms of Chapter 9 of the Constitution, the Public Protector needs to be approved by at least 60 percent of the National Assembly, not just simple majority.