Corruption Watch welcomes public involvement in choosing Madonsela successor
A multi-party committee will subject the candidates' CVs to public scrutiny before they're interviewed.
CAPE TOWN - Civil society organisation Corruption Watch has welcomed a decision to broaden the public's involvement in choosing South Africa's next Public Protector.
A multi-party committee, responsible for interviewing and recommending a "fit and proper" candidate for the post, will subject the candidates' CVs to public scrutiny before they're interviewed.
Incumbent Thuli Madonsela's seven year, non-renewable term ends in October.
Corruption Watch director David Lewis is pleased members of Parliament (MPs) have heeded his call for greater public participation.
"I thought that the chairperson handled it in a very open and productive way. I think some of the decisions that the committee took are really in the right direction."
Lewis says his organisation will closely monitor the process.
"We will engage in a lot of public communication about who the candidates are. We'll ask the public to ask questions that can be submitted to the committee, and above all, we want to ask the public to nominate people."
The public will have three weeks to nominate candidates for the position once it's been advertised.
MPs will conduct interviews after the local government elections in August.
LISTEN: Corruption Watch to help people choose new Public Protector
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says the public must closely monitor the parliamentary process.
"The ANC has got 60 percent plus in this Parliament. It may be tempted to impose its own cadre. But when you bring the public, the public will then monitor."
Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Glynnis Breytenbach says the public's participation is important.
"There's a lot of case law that suggests that public participation in these types of processes is desirable."
Committee chairperson Makhosi Khoza has promised the process will be transparent.
"There is not going to be under-carpet dealing here."
