Let protector stay strong

IN THREE months, the public protector Thuli Madonsela will step down after serving a seven-year, non-renewable term.

Madonsela raised the bar for the office of the public protector and hers will be big shoes to fill.

Her fierce independence, personal integrity and unflappability under fire from powerful political interests who did not like her findings against them made her a beloved figure among many patriotic South Africans. She has been faithful to the noble ideals of our constitution.

In her eventful tenure, Madonsela has made several high-profile findings against the powerful. But there is little doubt that the one that will stand out is the Nkandla ruling in which she found that President Jacob Zuma had unduly benefited from some of the taxpayer-funded work done at his private, rural home.

South Africa is blessed with many outstanding individuals who would be able to follow in Mandonsela’s footsteps. The names of some of these individuals can be found among the few dozen who have been nominated to succeed her.

The question though is whether powerful ANC figures, including the president, having been at the receiving end of the public protector’s rulings, will countenance a process in which an independent-minded individual can succeed her. Somehow we doubt it, but we live in hope.

We are, however, encouraged by the public and transparent manner the parliamentary portfolio committee, chaired by Makhosi Khoza, has handled the matter so far.

We trust that the committee’s work will not be interfered with and it will be able to shortlist candidates that are worthy of the office of the public protector.