Parliament, Wednesday, 26 July 2023 – The Ad Hoc Committee to Nominate a Person for Appointment as Public Protector (PP) today shortlisted eight candidates to be interviewed for the position of PP.

Committee Chairperson Mr Cyril Xaba said the candidates will be interviewed over two days, 23 and 24 August 2023. He said the committee agreed in its previous meeting that 38 nominations and applications received complied with the criteria and included all the required documents. Two candidates have since withdrawn from that process.

Today the committee followed the guiding principles in shortlisting candidates and reduced the initial 38 to eight. Mr Xaba said the committee had to look for a fit and proper person for the position but as the law does not describe the term fit and proper, the committee used case law, which offers a guide in this regard, specifying character, experience, knowledge and skills. The attached document gives insight into the attributes or qualities that guided the shortlisting process: https://tinyurl.com/mr48dvcp

The eight candidates, unanimously approved to be interviewed next month, are:
Adv Kholeka Gcaleka
Adv Oliver Josie
Ms Johannah Ledwaba
Ms Muvhango Lukhaimane
Adv Lynn Marais
Prof Boitumelo Mmusinyane
Adv Kwena Tommy Ntsewa
Adv Tseliso Thipanyane

Mr Xaba said a two-week screening process will now follow from 1 to 18 August. As part of this selection process, all shortlisted candidates will be subjected to suitability screening, reference checks and qualifications verification, among other processes. This will be followed by interviews and the committee’s deliberations on candidates. The committee is expected to report back to the National Assembly by 31 August 2023. The term of the current PP comes to an end in October 2023.

ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE TO NOMINATE A PERSON FOR APPOINTMENT AS PUBLIC PROTECTOR, MR CYRIL XABA

For media enquiries or interviews, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Rajaa Azzakani (Ms)
Tel: 021 403 8437
Cell: 081 703 9542
E-mail: razzakani@parliament.gov.za