Parliament, Tuesday, 23 June 2026 – The National Assembly (NA), during its plenary sitting today, adopted three committee reports dealing with the filling of vacancies at institutions supporting democracy and government entities.
These appointments span the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE), the National Nuclear Regulator and the Information Regulator – each with its own unique legal and constitutional significance.
The first report, from the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, recommends candidates to be appointed to fill five vacancies at the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE). The Committee initiated the process following the Constitutional Court judgment in the Corruption Watch case against the Speaker of the National Assembly, wherein the Court found that Parliament failed to comply with its constitutional obligation to facilitate reasonable public involvement in recommending persons to be appointed as members of the CGE.
The Court found the appointment of five Commissioners from 1 March 2023 invalid and ordered Parliament to conduct a new process and recommend candidates for appointment to the President of the Republic within 12 months. The Committee advertised the vacancies nationally in all official languages between 7 December 2025 and 1 February 2026 and thereafter, shortlisted 14 candidates who were invited for interviews.
To ensure meaningful public participation, the Committee published the names and redacted CVs of the shortlisted candidates on Parliament’s website for 30 days from 13 April to 26 May 2026. The committee received 249 public comments during the public participation process, the majority of which were positive.
The committee then conducted interviews over three days, from 3 to 5 June 2026. Interviewed candidates were tested on their knowledge, experience and commitment to advancing gender equality; they were also asked about their competencies, including leadership experience, interpersonal skills and integrity. All shortlisted candidates underwent qualification verification and security screening.
Following interviews and deliberations, the Committee agreed on a list of nine candidates to be recommended to the President for appointment. The recommended candidates are Ms Leonashia Leigh-Ann van der Merwe, Ms Sixolile Delight Ngcobo, Ms Chriscentia Caroline Blouws, Prof Corné Davis-Buitendag, Ms Mamohapi Claurina Diseko, Adv Thando Gumede, Mr Alfred Ofentse Macheke, Adv Nthabiseng Sepanya Mogale and Mr Xolisa Yekani.
The committee noted the five vacancies to be filled and recommended nine candidates. This is to accommodate any subsequent vacancy that may arise due to resignation or other eventualities. The President will be able to choose from the four additional recommended candidates.
The second report, from the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, refers to a request from the Minister of Electricity and Energy for the identification of candidates to fill two vacancies on the board of the National Nuclear Regulator.
On 15 December 2025, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, referred a letter dated 12 December 2025 from the Minister of Electricity and Energy to the Committee for consideration and report on the appointment of a Director falling within the category of Directors appointed in terms of section 8(4)(a)(1)(i)(ii)(iii) and (vi) of the National Nuclear Reactor Act and for the Minister to publish, through the media and by notice in the Government Gazette, an advert inviting nominations of persons as candidates for the relevant position on the Board.
The Committee conducted interviews with 24 of the identified candidates over three days, on 09, 10 and 11 June 2026. On the same day, the Committee considered the interview scores and commenced its deliberations to seek consensus on the candidates to be recommended for the Minister’s consideration. For the community representative, the Committee recommended Mr Ernest Tladi and Dr Mosebetsi Leotlela, and recommended eight (8) names for the organised labour representative - Dr Pulane Elsie Molokwane, Dr Margaret Msongi Mkhosi-Motsaathebe, Mr David Lefutso, Dr Nomcebo Serrah Mhlanga, Mr Grant Son, Ms Zandile Matshaya, Mr Mudanalwo Freddy Ndou and Mr Lean Mayana Makhubele.
Most importantly, although all the recommended candidates meet the legislative requirements, the Committee strongly recommends that the Minister of Electricity and Energy ensure that “Prior to appointment, each candidate recommended must undergo security vetting by the State Security Agency, to confirm and verify qualifications of the candidates, to ensure there is no conflict of interest.”
The third report, by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, addresses a vacancy at the Information Regulator – an institution that plays an increasingly important role in protecting personal data and privacy rights under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013. The vacancy arose due to the resignation of a full-time member before the expiry of their term on 30 November 2026.
The term of office for the newly appointed part-time member will also expire on 30 November 2026. Section 41(2)(a) of the Act empowers the President to appoint members of the Regulator on the recommendation of the National Assembly. Furthermore, Section 42(2)(b) dictates that when a member resigns, the same appointment procedure applies, with the new member generally serving only the remainder of the predecessor’s term – unless the President, again on the NA’s recommendation, decides to grant a longer tenure not exceeding five years.
Following the public advertisement of the position and a call for nominations, the Committee shortlisted 10 candidates. After careful assessment, the Committee recommended that the National Assembly endorse the appointment of Ms Nomagcina Mtshontshi on a full-time basis and Ms Alison Tilley on a part-time capacity as the ordinary members of the Information Regulator. The Committee has also firmly recommended Ms Nomagcina Mtshontshi and Ms Alison Tilley be appointed for a full five-year term. This was the term of office of the full-time member who resigned, which was due to expire on 30 November 2026.
With the National Assembly’s approval, these recommendations now move to the respective appointing authorities – primarily the President and the Minister – for final ratification.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
Enquiries: Moloto Mothapo, Parliament Spokesperson
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