Deputy Public Protector interviews to get under way
A candidate hoping to become the Deputy Public Protector must be a qualified attorney with at least 10 years of experience.
Public Protector House. Image: Supplied/@PublicProtector on X
CAPE TOWN - Former Deputy Public Administration Minister Chana Pilane-Majake is among eight candidates who will be interviewed on Wednesday for the role of Deputy Public Protector.
It’s the second time Parliament’s Justice Committee is interviewing candidates for the post this year, after a conflict of interest involving former Public Protector and ex-Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Member of Parliament (MP), Busisiwe Mkhwebane, derailed the process in March.
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Five of the candidates are returning for another attempt, including one of Mkhwebane’s lawyers, whose involvement led to the conflict-of-interest issue.
A candidate hoping to become the Deputy Public Protector must be a qualified attorney with at least 10 years of experience.
The position offers a seven-year renewable contract.
Candidates include Public Service Commission Director General Advocate Dinkie Dube, and former CEO of the Public Protector’s Office, Themba Mthethwa.
Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Tommy Bunguzana, Human Rights Commissioner Tseliso Thipanyane, and corporate executive Siphokazi Moleshe will all be interviewed for the second time.
Also making another attempt is Ponatshego Mogaladi, Head of Investigations in the Public Protector’s Office, who testified about her dismissal by Mkhwebane during the impeachment inquiry.
Mkhwebane’s attorney, Advocate Shadrack Tebeile, who is representing her pro bono in the African Court against that impeachment, has also put himself forward again.
Parliament halted the process earlier this year after Mkhwebane refused to recuse herself over the conflict of interest involving these two candidates.
The post officially became vacant in October 2023 when Kholeka Gcaleka was appointed Public Protector.
Before that, the position had been vacant for over a year, while Gcaleka acted as Public Protector during Mkhwebane’s suspension.