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Public Protector Thuli Madonsela
Picture: Tebogo Letsie
Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema has called on South
Africans to get closely involved in the process of selecting a new Public
Protector.
“They must nominate, they must object and they must comment,” he
said, speaking to News24 following a meeting of an ad hoc committee tasked with
filling the post.
This, he said, would prevent cadre deployment.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s term ends in October and the
committee has until August to nominate a suitable person.
Malema said he wanted the public to be closer to the process and
monitor it for themselves.
“Politicians have got a tendency to think that, once elected, they
must do everything for the public and the public will only be involved during
voting after five years. I subscribe to a principle that says voters must follow
their vote, they must be involved in the process,” he said.
He called on the public to watch the interviews and make their
favoured candidates known.
This way, he said, parties would not be able to use their majority
vote “against the will of the people”.
The temptation by politicians to get a party cadre deployed should
be undermined by public interest, he said.
Once nominated by the committee, the candidate needs to be approved
by 60% of the National Assembly.
Malema said they were looking for an independent person who would
not be subjective, but apply the law and the Constitution fairly.
His sentiments were echoed by Democratic Alliance MP Glynnis
Breytenbach, who said they would be looking for someone who was “fit and
proper”.
“We’ve seen how important it is to meet that standard. We are
looking for someone who will conduct themselves without fear, favour or
prejudice, who is capable of being objective in the face of adversity,” said
Breytenbach.
The post will be advertised in weekend publications and on radio,
calling for nominations and applications.
Interviews will be held after the August 3 elections. –
News24
