AD Hoc Committee to nominate next Public Protector recommends Adv Gcaleka

29 August 2023

The Ad Hoc Committee to Nominate a Person for Appointment as Public Protector (PP) today recommended Adv Kholeka Gcaleka as the next PP. Adv Gcaleka has been acting as the PP for over a year since the suspension of Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane and she is also the Deputy PP.

The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Cyril Xaba, said the committee agreed this morning to first eliminate the names of five candidates it deemed less suitable for the position from the list of eight candidates it interviewed last week. “Members of the committee were unanimous about which five candidates should be eliminated in the first round.

“Once this was completed, they then extensively deliberated further on the remaining three candidates - Adv Tseliso Thipanyane, Adv Muvhango Lukhaimane and Adv Gcaleka,” said Mr Xaba.

After further deliberations, the committee was left with one candidate. “Adv Gcaleka received the most support - seven of the 11 members voted in support of Adv Gcaleka’s nomination as the next PP. The majority of members agreed that she would be in a position to strengthen the work of the PPSA and restore the morale in the office.”

Mr Xaba said the committee’s report on her recommendation will be sent to the National Assembly (NA) for its consideration. The NA will vote on the matter and a 60% support is required for the recommendation to be approved by the House. The NA will then send the recommendation to the President for appointment. The term of the current PP comes to an end in October 2023.

Issued by Rajaa Azzakani, Media Officer, Parliament, 29 August 2023