Public Can Help Nominate – and Then Comment on – the Next Thuli

On Friday Parliament opened the nomination process for a successor to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, whose seven-year term comes to an end in October. Nominations have to be made by 4 pm on 24 June.

Members of the public and organisations have been asked to nominate suitable candidates.

The community organisation Corruption Watch said on its Facebook page on Friday, “You only have three weeks from today to send in your nominations or applications (for yourself, if you have the right qualities and qualifications). There is no time to waste!” The application can be found here.

A position created by the constitution, the public protector, who is appointed by the president on the recommendation of the national assembly, “has the power to investigate any conduct in state affairs, or in the public administration in any sphere of government, that is alleged or suspected to be improper or to result in any impropriety or prejudice; to report on that conduct; and take appropriate remedial action”.

The qualifications needed: Must be

1) a South African citizen “who is a fit and proper person to hold such office,

and 2)

• a Judge of a High Court; or
• admitted as an advocate or an attorney and has, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years after having been so admitted, practised as an advocate or an attorney; or
• is qualified to be admitted as an advocate or an attorney and has, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years after having so qualified, lectured in law at a university; or
• has specialised knowledge of or experience, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years, in the administration of justice, public administration or public finance; or
• has, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years, been a member of Parliament; or
• has acquired any combination of experience mentioned in paragraphs 2-5, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years.