Phuti Mosomane
Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee has on Tuesday recommended Adv Kholeka Gcaleka as the next Public Protector (PP).
Gcaleka has been acting as the Public Protector for over a year since the suspension of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and she is also the Deputy Public Protector.
The Chairperson of the committee Cyril Xaba, said the committee agreed on Tuesday morning to first eliminate the names of five candidates it deemed less suitable for the position from the list of eight candidates it interviewed last week.
“Members of the committee were unanimous about which five candidates should be eliminated in the first round.
“Once this was completed, they then extensively deliberated further on the remaining three candidates – Adv Tseliso Thipanyane, Adv Muvhango Lukhaimane and Adv Gcaleka,” said Xaba.
After much deliberation, the committee was left with one candidate.
“Adv Gcaleka received the most support – seven of the 11 members voted in support of Adv Gcaleka’s nomination as the next Public Protector. The majority of members agreed that she would be in a position to strengthen the work of the Public Protector South Africa and restore the morale in the office.”
Xaba said the committee’s report on her recommendation will be sent to the National Assembly (NA) for its consideration.
The NA will vote on the matter and a 60% support is required for the recommendation to be approved by the House.
The NA will then send the recommendation to President Cyril Ramaphosa for appointment. The term of the current PP comes to an end in October 2023.
Meanwhile the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said it has rejected with contempt, the decision of the “Ad Hoc Committee to Nominate a Person for Appointment as Public Protector” to recommend to the National Assembly the name of Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka.
It said the recommendation is ‘irrational and nonsensical’.
“The EFF remains steadfast in its commitment to a transparent and credible appointment process for the Office of the Public Protector. As one of South Africa’s pivotal Chapter 9 institutions, this office requires a leader who can be both impartial and decisive.”
EFF Spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the EFF evaluation of various candidates throughout the interview process has led the party to one conclusion: “the candidate recommended by the Ad Hoc Committee falls significantly short of our expectations and requirements for this position.”
We must focus on the disconcerting irregularities and evident conflicts of interest surroundin the candidate recommended by the Committee.
“This individual exhibited a serious lapse in ethical judgment in the performance of her official duties, particularly in the case involving Phala Phala.
“Advocate Gcaleka’s role in an investigation that directly implicates Cyril Ramaphosa is questionable, given the potential for it to impact her future in the Office of the Public Protector,” he said.
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