Parliament, Tuesday, 19 November 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development today conducted interviews for a vacancy on the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).
The committee received the 46 applications and nominations and shortlisted eight candidates to be interviewed for the vacancy, said Committee Chairperson Mr Xola Nqola. Since then, a candidate has withdrawn from the process. The position became vacant after then Deputy Chairperson of SAHRC, Ms Fatima Cohen, resigned.
The candidates interviewed were Dr Manketsi Tlhape, Adv Funeka Thema, Dr Jeanine Nothnagel, Mr Vernon Seymour, Mr Grant Son, Mr Chumani Sali and Adv Andre Gaum. Shortly after the commencement of her interview, Adv Thema indicated that she was under the impression that it was a part time-position and she is not available full-time.
The candidates must:
- Be a South African citizen and fit and proper person to hold office of the Commission, as contemplated in section 193(1) of the Constitution;
- Have a record of commitment to the promotion of respect for human rights and a culture of human rights;
- Be a person with applicable knowledge or experience with regard to matters connected with the objects of the Commission; and
- Comply with any other requirements prescribed by national legislation, in particular section 5 (b) of the South African Human Rights Commission Act, 2013.
Dr Thlape was questioned on claims that during her tenure as MEC for Agriculture she received cattle on her farm intended for poor farmers. She informed the committee that no such cattle were found other than her own.
Dr Jeanine Nothnagel was questioned on the Stilfontein mining incident and illegal miners and said a balance between human rights and security is desirable. She struggled to answer questions regarding legislation governing the SAHRC.
Mr Seymour called for greater powers for the SAHRC and asked the committee to amend the SAHRC Act. He said binding reforms are necessary. In his view, no one is afraid of the commission’s sanction at present, he said.
Mr Sali told the committee a pro-human rights budget is important and that the SAHRC is underfunded.
Adv Gaum, a former Commissioner, was asked to give the assurance that he was not one of those who had previously caused instability in the SAHRC. His name was mentioned in a recent committee meeting as one of three who had allegedly tried to cause instability.
Mr Nqola said the committee will deliberate on the interviews and use all the information at its disposal to come to a conclusion. “We noted that the security screenings of all the candidates were not available. We were therefore not privy to any findings. We will however include this in our deliberations on a suitable candidate,” he said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES, MR XOLA NQOLA.
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