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Public Protector Thuli Madonsela at her offices in Pretoria. Picture: Leon Sadiki/City Press
Advocate Thuli Madonsela is among 21 nominations that have been
received so far for her position as Public Protector, even though by law she is
limited to only one term in office.
Madonsela’s seven-year term as Public Protector ends in
mid-October.
She has indicated that she would take a sabbatical for a year after
her term expires and may also practise as an advocate again. Some of her other
plans also include teaching at a university, and writing two books.
Madonsela’s deputy, Kevin Malunga, had also been nominated for the
post, said Dr Busisiwe Khoza, chairperson of Parliament’s ad hoc committee that
has been established to facilitate the appointment of a new Public
Protector.
Speaking at a press conference today, she said all the nominees
were “very competent individuals”, but she declined to provide names or more
details.
Khoza confirmed that no member of Parliament had been nominated so
far.
She also tiptoed around questions about requests from Corruption
Watch and other civil groups to extend the period during which the public could
comment or object to nominated candidates with five days.
The nomination process for candidates closes on Friday, after which
the public have between June 27 and July 1 to object or comment on the
nominations.
Corruption Watch has requested that the CVs and not just the names
of the candidates be published.
The organisation also raised concerns that the five-day period the
public had to scrutinise the candidates was too short for meaningful public
participation.
Khoza said the request had been considered, but the committee
needed to strictly adhere to the timeline set earlier.
“There is no harm in still receiving comments as long as it is
before shortlisting but we would like to stick to timelines. It is important to
stick to dates because we want to have the opportunity to deal with
objections.”
She said they also need sufficient time for verification.
Khoza emphasised that this was an election year and that the
schedules of members of Parliament who served on the committee were
limited.
The plan was to compile the shortlist before the end of
August.
Khoza said CVs could be published only if the candidates gave their
permission.
“We feel strongly there has to be consent from the candidates
themselves, even if it is a legitimate expectation of the public that those
applying for the position should be open to public scrutiny. We must make sure
the process is fair for candidates as well as the public.”
But after the briefing, the Democratic Alliance’s Glynnis
Breytenbach called for all the CVs to be made public on Parliament’s website.
“It is in the public interest that every candidate be thoroughly
vetted by the ad hoc committee. Any candidate wishing for their CV to remain
confidential should immediately be considered as ineligible to be considered to
head up this crucial corruption-busting Chapter Nine institution.”
» Send applications or nominations before or on Friday with a CV,
as well as the full name, ID number, gender, contact details – including
physical address, telephone and cellphone number, and email address – relevant
work experience and academic qualifications to Vhonani Ramaano, committee
secretary, at vramaano@parliament.gov.za. For enquiries, phone 021 403
3820.
