Best for job

CONGRESS of the People (Cope) will do everything in its power to make sure the ruling party does not have its way in deploying another lapdog of Mr Zuma to the post of public protector.

Corruption cannot have freedom to flourish. The public need a protector to safeguard citizens from those who have been readily abusing power.

We will work with civil society organisations such as Corruption Watch to ensure that Thuli Madonsela’s replacement is someone who will dutifully uphold the constitution and ensure that the Office of the Public Protector remains a “cornerstone of South Africa’s democracy”.

In order for continuity to occur, Cope believes that in principle a deputy public protector should succeed to the vacant post. Kevin Sifiso Malunga, the deputy public protector, has proved himself to be a suitable candidate. We note he is a candidate for doctor of juridical science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, US.

It is an open secret that the tripartite alliance cannot wait for advocate Thuli Madonsela to vacate her office. She has been such a thorn in the torso of the looters who masquerade as politicians and officials.

The overlooking of Dikgang Moseneke for the post of chief justice on three occasions was a slight for him. It had nothing to do with merit. He qualified supremely for that post.

The fact that he and Mogoeng Mogoeng became good friends was on account of the good grace of each other. It could have turned ugly.

Ideally, the deputy should be serving his or her apprenticeship for the top position. If that were to happen, the best will serve South Africa with distinction. Any attempt at subverting the importance and power of the public protector will only allow corruption to flourish.

Cope calls on civil society, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations and activists to participate in the process of nominating an independent, honest and credible person to succeed Madonsela. Her deputy qualifies for such a nomination.