By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Acting Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka was named on Tuesday as the next Public Protector for a non-renewable term from mid-October 2023
Gcaleka was in the running for the position with seven other candidates, including Pension Funds adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane, former South African Human Rights Commission CEO and current head of legal in the Office of the Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo, Tseliso Thipanyane, and magistrate Johanna Ledwaba.
The other candidates who did not make it were Oliver Josie, Boitumelo Mmusinyane, Lynn Marais and Kwena Ntsewa.
ANC MPs, including Qubudile Dyantyi, Mina Lesoma and Bulelani Magwanishe said Gcaleka has demonstrated her ability to do the job as Public Protector.
“Having considered the National Assembly’s request for the committee to nominate a person for appointment as public protector, the committee recommends that the House recommends Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka to the president for appointment as public protector, “said the committee’s chairperson Cyril Xaba.
The ANC and IFP supported Gcaleka’s nomination, while the DA, EFF and Freedom Front Plus opposed her possible appointment.
While the ANC holds 230 seats, the attendance of all its MPs can’t be guaranteed over what’s generally called “being busy with government work” of ministers and their deputies. But with the IFP’s 14 seats it’ll be easier for the ANC to get its choice – it also depends on the votes of two- and one-seat parties like GOOD, National Freedom Party, African Independent Congress (AIC) and Al Jama-ah.
Gcaleka recently hit the headlines when her report on the Phala Phala matter exonerated President Cyril Ramaphosa from any wrongdoing.
Her nomination will now be debated and voted on in the National Assembly before being referred to the president for appointment.
The committee started its process of looking for Mkhwebane’s replacement in June this year since her seven-year term in office ends in October.