Dube tipped for key Watchdog position

PARLIAMENT is edging closer to filling the vacant Deputy Public Protector position, which has been unoccupied for almost two years.

- MAYIBONGWE MADHINA

Yesterday, the Justice and constitutional development portfolio committee resolved to recommend Advocate Dingkie Portia Dube to the National Assembly as the next Deputy Public Protector.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will make the appointment on recommendation of the National Assembly.

Dube, who previously worked as director of Public Protector South Africa and as an ombud at various state institutions, was one of the eight shortlisted candidates.

Dube's appointment would come in the wake of Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka's ascension as the Public Protector in October 2023, after serving in an acting capacity for over a year.

The committees move to recommend Dube ends a protracted selection process that began anew last year after a legal advice found that former EFF MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane did not declare her relationship on two of the candidates and refused to recuse herself when they were interviewed.