Parly considering 44 candidates for vacant deputy Public Protector job

CAPE TOWN - Parliament says it's considering the names of 44 candidates to be the next deputy Public Protector. 

The position has been vacant since the former deputy Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, was appointed as Public Protector in November. 

The public is now being invited to make their comments on the applicants and nominations, several of whom are taking a second stab at the job. 

Gcaleka is the only deputy public protector in the country’s history to also be appointed Public Protector. 

Although she served in the job for less than four years, one of those in an acting capacity as Public Protector, the deputy Public Protector is ultimately appointed by the president for a seven-year term, which can be extended for a second term. 

The chosen candidate stands to earn a salary of R1.9 million a year. 

Among the applicants and nominations received by Parliament are at least 17 advocates. 

Some of the candidates also applied for this job before, when they lost out to Gcaleka in 2019. 

Others, like North West University law professor, Boitumelo Mmusinyane, also applied for the Public Protector’s job just last year, also losing out to Gcaleka after an interview. 

The Public Protector’s executive director for investigations, Ponatshego Mogaladi, who appeared before the impeachment inquiry of former Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkwebane, has accepted a nomination for the job. 

Chairperson of the Justice committee, Bulelani Magwanishe, said that the shortlisted candidates would all be subjected to a screening process. 

The public can access the profiles of the nominations and applications on Parliament’s website for comment, which the justice committee will consider before shortlisting candidates for interviews.