Protector nominees down to 59 for now

CAPE TOWN — The full list of nominations and applications received by Parliament’s ad hoc committee for candidates to succeed Thuli Madonsela as public protector was released on Tuesday.

Members of the public have until Friday July 8 to comment on or object to any of the 59 names before the ad hoc committee for the appointment of a new public protector.

Committee chairwoman Makhosi Khoza told reporters in Parliament that the 73 applications and nominations which the committee received had been reduced to 59 after some nominees declined and others could not be reached to accept or decline nomination.

Nominations that fell away included those of advocate Gerrie Nel, former president Thabo Mbeki, former first lady Graça Machel and former minister of finance Nhlanhla Nene.

Khoza said a meeting would be called after July 8 for ad hoc committee members to discuss the way forward.

The committee would decide how many people would be short-listed, she said.

The names of High Court in Cape Town Judge Seraj Desai, law professor Pierre de Vos, advocate Dali Mpofu, advocate Loyiso Mpumlwana, politician Phillip Dexter and author and former MP Pregs Govender were also on the list of 73.

Khoza had strong words for those who believed that she could be influenced by her political bosses at Luthuli House to select a candidate most palatable to the ANC’s interests.

“I am not a pushover. I would not like for people to think that that is what I’m here to be,” Khoza said.

“This is also not a process that will be handled by me. This is a process that Parliament will have to finalise in the National Assembly and after which the president will have to determine this appointment,” she said.