President Cyril Ramaphosa has accepted the recommendation of the National Assembly and appointed advocate Kholeka Gcaleka as deputy public protector.
Her seven-year term of office began yesterday, her appointment following the expiry in December 2019 of the term of office of her predecessor, Advocate Kevin Malunga.
African National Congress (ANC) MP Hishaam Mohamed argued that Gcaleka’s extensive legal and investigative experience would be invaluable to the Public Protector’s office.
Gcaleka is a former special adviser in the ministry of finance, and in the ministry of home affairs when Malusi Gigaba was minister.
Gcaleka was one of two candidates flagged as questionable by Corruption Watch, but ANC MPs said she had satisfactorily addressed all the issues raised by Corruption Watch during her interview.
She previously served as senior state advocate and senior deputy director of public prosecutions in the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). She was also the national chair of the Society of State Advocates of SA and is a member of the Black Lawyers Association.
Democratic Alliance (DA) justice spokesperson Glynnis Breytenbach said candidates for the post of deputy in the Public Protector’s office had displayed a lack of legal knowledge and none could adequately describe what the rule of law and due process were, which was extremely concerning.
Breytenbach disagreed with the ANC that Gcaleka had conducted a stellar interview, saying she was defensive and emotional and did not answer all the questions adequately.
She was also critical of Gcaleka’s support for former national director of prosecutions Menzi Simelane, who was responsible for undermining the NPA.