The position has been vacant for more than a year after the then Deputy Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, was appointed to the top job in November 2023.  

The initial process of finding a suitable candidate to recommend for appointment to President Cyril Ramaphosa was abandoned a year ago, following what was described as a "reasonable apprehension of bias." Parliament restarted the process in October last year. The Office of the Public Protector is a crucial Chapter Nine institution, aimed at supporting and defending democracy.  

The Programme Head at the Public Service Accountability Monitor at Rhodes University, Zukiswa Kota, has called on the portfolio committee to finalise the process.  

"Having noted the importance of an interviewing process that has integrity and that is safeguarded, it is also important that the Portfolio Committee for Justice and Constitutional Development ensures that there is no further delay, and that where the shortlist of candidates has been made, that it is presented to the President, who ultimately makes the appointment."

--ChannelAfrica--