Kholeka Gcaleka is SA’s new Public Protector

The National Assembly has voted for Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka to be the next Public Protector.

Before the vote, Members of Parliament had a debate on whether or not Gcaleka is a suitable candidate.

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KHOLEKA GCALEKA IS SA’S NEW 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.

Earlier, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach and EFF MP Mzwanele Manyi were kicked out after they refused to withdraw controversial statements.

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During the debate, DA MP Glynnis Breytenbach said none of the shortlisted candidates met the minimum requirements and the vacancy should be advertised again. She further accused Gcaleka of using sexual favours to get promotions.

“Now Ms Gcaleka does not come to this point without a past her very cosy relationship and some say intimate relationship the rather odious Menzi Simelani, led to speedy promotions and her very active role in support of the capture of the NPA,” she said.

Simelane is the former Director of Public Prosecutions in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

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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