South Africa
Mkhwebane one step closer to Public Protector office
Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is one step closer to becoming the next Public Protector after Parliament’s ad hoc committee on Tuesday adopted its report on the process. By Thulani Gqirana, News24.
In a 15-minute no-fuss meeting, the ANC, DA, EFF, NFP, ACDP and UDM committee members adopted the report recommending Mkhwebane for the post.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s term ends in October. The committee, which shortlisted and interviewed the candidates, was hoping to have the new candidate in office in time for a handover process.
The report would be submitted to the National Assembly, to be debated on Wednesday, September 7.
EFF leader Julius Malema said they would defend the report in the National Assembly. The DA reserved its position on the candidate and the report.
Open process
The committee recommended in the report that the National Assembly put forward Mkhwebane’s name to the president, who would have to sign off on the candidate.
MPs recommended that the National Assembly look into establishing comprehensive guidelines for committees when dealing with appointments of public office bearers to independent constitutional institutions.
The ANC chief whip’s office on Tuesday lauded the committee for completing the process by the August 31 deadline.
“We commend the ad hoc committee, headed by chairperson Dr Makhosi Khoza, for the diligence, dedication and excellence with which it conducted its business,” ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu’s office said in a statement.
The nomination process had been conducted with integrity, openness and transparency and parties had demonstrated political maturity and co-operated to ensure South Africans had a fit and proper public protector, the chief whip said.
During the committee’s last meeting, Mkhwebane was touted as the closest person they had to Madonsela in terms of qualifications, mannerisms, and handling questions.
She was a lady of guts, IFP MP Themba Msimang said. ANC MP Grace Tseke said she had a fine brain.
NFP MP Sibusiso Mncwabe said she was outstanding during her interview.
“She is a very brave, young, but experienced black female and she has worked for that office before,” he said.
She also got Malema’s stamp of approval. DM
Source: News24
Photo: Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane (YouTube via TechCentral)
