Johannesburg - Corruption Watch, the South African public advocacy group, on Monday urged the public to actively participate in the process of appointing a new public protector to replace outgoing incumbent Thuli Madonsela.
Corruption Watch launched the “Bua Mzansi” campaign at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg. The campaign is aimed at raising awareness on the role of the public protector as well as encouraging the public to get involved in the appointment of a new Public Protector.
“There are many important roles to be filled this year including the public protector as well as two constitutional court judges that need to be replaced as they are retiring,” said David Lewis, Corruption Watch executive director.
“There is an opportunity for the public to participate in this process and there are many people who don't know that they are allowed to be part of the appointment.”
Corruption Watch would be running face-to-face interactions and social network communications on the campaign. There will be electronic voting opportunities as well as mobile applications that people will be able to use to cast their votes.
“We hope the campaign will help ensure a worthy public protector as well as sparks debate in the society about the best method of appointing someone to protect the public,” said Lewis.
He said the incumbent, Madonsela, had been treated in an “appalling manner” with many questioning the role of her office and its legal authority.
Lewis said it was vital that a suitable candidate replaces her.
Corruption Watch had successfully applied to be a “friend of the court” in the matter involving the EFF and the DA in which the parties seek to compel President Jacob Zuma to comply with remedial action that Madonsela recommended in the Nkandla matter.
Last week Zuma offered to repay some of the money used on supposed security upgrades at his Nkandla homestead that included a swimming pool, amphitheatre and cattle kraal.
The upgrades cost the public purse about R250 million. Both the EFF and DA rejected the offer. The matter, which would also clarify the powers of the public protector, will be heard in the Constitutional Court on Tuesday. Zuma appointed Madonsela in 2009. Her seven-year term ends in October.
African News Agency