Bua Mzansi –
Our Public Protector campaign

In 2016, Corruption Watch is embarking on a nationwide public awareness campaign to highlight the upcoming appointment of a new public protector. The non-renewable seven-year term of our internationally esteemed public protector, Thulisile Madonsela, ends on 19 October 2016.

We plan to ensure her replacement is appointed in a transparent manner and is influenced by public opinion. We will campaign to ensure that candidates are properly vetted, that they are qualified and suitable for the post, and that the entire process takes place in the public spotlight.

AWARENESS: our public awareness campaign will highlight the role of the Office of the Public Protector, its functions and responsibilities, as well as illustrate how the public can help to nominate candidates for the position.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: we will create avenues for people to participate in the appointment of the new public protector through new media technologies and traditional mobilising methods.

TRANSPARENCY: we will campaign to ensure that candidates are properly vetted, that they are qualified and suitable for the post, and that the entire process takes place in the public spotlight.

The public protector is appointed by the president, in accordance with the provisions of section 193 of the Constitution. In terms of section 1A (3) of the Public Protector Act, the public protector is required to have certain qualifications or work experience. These requirements are listed below.

The candidate must be a South African citizen who is a fit and proper person to hold such office, and who –

1. is a judge of a high court; or
2. is 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. has, for a cumulative period of at least 10 years, been a member of Parliament; or
6. has acquired any combination of experience mentioned in paragraphs (1) to (5) for a cumulative period of at least 10 years.

Under chapter nine of the constitution, the public protector may serve one non-renewable period of seven years in office.