Extension of deadline for Public Protector nominations
25 August 2009
The Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of the Public Protector met for the second time in Parliament this morning to consider the list of candidates who have responded to an earlier advisement calling for nominations for the position of the new Public Protector.
The Committee has noted that more than half of the nominations/applications received did not meet the basic requirements laid down in the Public Protector Act of 1994. The Committee further noted that the advertised deadline of 24 April 2009 for the submission of nominations coincided with the critical stage of the recent national and provincial elections.
The Committee was thus of a view that this may have played a critical role in the limited number and quality of applications/nominations received, as the nation’s focus may have shifted primarily on elections.
While there are candidates worthy of recommendation for appointment in the existing pool, the unanimous view of the Committee was to open up the process again for a limited period to enlarge the pool from which a recommendation can be made. This would serve the best interest of the country.
Mindful of the limited time available for this process, as the tenure of the current incumbent is set to expire on 15 October, the committee has decided to extend the deadline for nomination to 4 September.
Invitations for nomination will be placed in all major national newspapers and other forms of media such as radio and television from Sunday, 30 August 2009.
The Office of the Chief Whip has welcomed the Committee’s decision. Given the huge public interest in the appointment of the Public Protector and the paramount importance of this Chapter 9 institution, whose task is to promote our constitutional democracy, it is important that thoroughness is not seen to be compromised during this process.
Issued by
The Office of the ANC Chief Whip
Parliament of the Republic of SA
Cape Town
8000
Enquiries:
Moloto Mothapo - 082 370 6930
