Kholeka Gcaleka: EFF rejects appointment of new Public Protector
EFF says Kholeka Gcaleka is being rewarded the role of Public Protector because she absolved Ramaphosa in the Phala Phala saga.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) says the appointment of Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as Public Protector is a reward for absolving President Cyril Ramaphosa of wrongdoing in the Phala Phala farm scandal.
On Thursday, 19 October, the National Assembly voted in favour of Gcaleka to be appointed as the next Public Protector.
A total of 244 MPs voted in favour of Gcaleka while 12 voted against. The ANC, GOOD, IFP, NFP and Al Jama-ah voted in favour of Gcaleka. The DA and EFF were not present during the voting session.
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EFF REJECTS KHOLEKA GCALEKA’S APPOINTMENT
The Red Berets have been vocal about the Phala Phala farm scandal and also rejected Gcaleka’s final report following an investigation by the Office of the Public Protector.
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The party said Gcaleka’s appointment bears the hallmarks of a pro quid pro arrangement – a reward for absolving Ramaphosa of wrongdoing and conflicts of interest in the Phala Phala investigation by the Office of the Public Protector.
“This appointment is undeniably tainted, raising valid concerns about the independence and impartiality of our Chapter 9 institutions…With a compromised figure now at the helm of the Public Protector’s Office we fear it may steer in the direction that prioritises shielding the nefarious interests of the ruling party over its duty to protect and uphold the law,” the party said.
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NEW PP’S QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION
Gcaleka studied law at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she later obtained her LLB degree in 2003. The thirst for knowledge doesn’t stop there, either. The new Public Protector also holds a Masters in Commercial Law obtained at the University of Johannesburg.
Has she got the experience? Well, she has been Mkhwebane’s deputy since 2020 and has been the Acting Public Protector since Mkhwebane’s suspension., She has almost 15 years working as an advocate under her belt. Kholeka Gcaleka has also spent the last decade in ‘senior management’ roles.
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