National Assembly endorses Dinkie Dube to be appointed as Deputy Public Protector

After months of procedural wrangling within Parliament's Justice Portfolio Committee, the National Assembly has finally endorsed Dinkie Dube to be appointed as the Deputy Public Protector.

The post has been vacant for more than two years after current Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka was first called upon to act in the position before her permanent appointment.

While parties across the spectrum have supported Dube’s nomination, the protracted process has earned members of Parliament (MPs) a stern rebuke from the National Assembly Speaker, Thoko Didiza.

The sixth administration first set about interviewing candidates for the role of Deputy Public Protector in March 2024.

But the process had to be abandoned after the former Public Protector and Economic Freedom Fighter (EFF) MP Busisiwe Mkhwebane refused to recuse herself.

The interviews then started from scratch in November 2024 and in April, Dube, the current Director General of the Public Service Commission, emerged as the favourite.

However, finalising the report to the National Assemblyhas since been held up by vetting, and a dispute over whether the EFF had a say in the outcome after boycotting the interviews.

On Thursday, the party’s Rebecca Mohlala said her party backed Dube.

“South Africa is still recovering from a period where the Public Protector’s Office made a ruling that defied logic, ignored evidence and protected the elite, must notably in the Phala Phala matter.”

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party’s Mzwanele Manyi said while his party also supported Dube, it could not endorse the process and, therefore, rejected the report.

“When one examines how the committee handled this matter, it becomes clear that we are being asked to endorse a decision born out of delays, division and political manoeuvring, not constitutional integrity.”

The recommendation will now be sent to the president for appointment.