Hon Chairperson, the South African Constitution in section 1, the Bill of Rights, makes provision for the protection of human rights. The protection mechanisms are also called "the state institutions supporting constitutional democracy". Chapter 9 of the Constitution creates seven institutions for protecting people's rights and for making sure that the government does its work properly.
One of the most important of these institutions is the Office of the Public Protector. The Public Protector is, therefore, one of the very cornerstones of our democracy. The Public Protector represents citizens and watches over the activities of government officials to stop them abusing their powers. The Public Protector is an independent official and is accountable to the Constitution.
Public Protector officials must act in a transparent way and must send a report of their activities and findings to Parliament at least once a year. I have been asked many times what the actual function of the Public Protector is.
Allow me now, in a nutshell, to give a brief breakdown of the functions of this office. The Public Protector must investigate complaints about any of the following: poor administration of government, government officials who abuse their powers, improper conduct of public officials, corruption of public funds by public officials and any act or omission by public officials that results in prejudice to a citizen. It must also resolve disputes and refer matters to other agencies, for example the Attorney- General, to prosecute the person who is found guilty of any misconduct.
I have also been asked who can approach the Public Protector. The answer is simple: Any person can make a complaint to the Public Protector. If you want to make a complaint, you must make an oral or written statement stating the following: what the complaint is about, why the Public Protector must investigate the complaint and give other information that might be relevant to the case. The services of the Public Protector are free. One of the biggest problems facing the Public Protector is the lack of public knowledge of this important office. Most of us sitting here know exactly what the Public Protector must do, but the general public have very little information regarding this office. This particular point came out very strongly during our recent interview sessions with all the candidates and they all indicated that they would want to make this office more accessible and better known.
I would now like to discuss the process that the ad hoc committee on the appointment of the new Public Protector went through. Firstly, allow me to thank the committee for ensuring that the process was free, fair and transparent at all times. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the committee for ensuring a professional yet congenial atmosphere during the entire process.
What can be at times a very tedious and time-consuming process was kept interesting and enjoyable by ensuring that questioning was both vibrant and relevant. Much of the success of this committee is thanks to the committee chairperson, the hon Mike Masutha, whom I thanked in the committee but would once again like to thank in this House.
I am thrilled that the recommended candidate's name, Ms Thulisile Madonsela, comes to this House for acceptance backed by the unanimous support of the ad hoc committee. I can inform this House that the atmosphere in the committee was quite festive when we realised that, regardless of party affiliation, all parties represented were in favour of the same candidate.
Allow me to express the contentment of the DA regarding the name of the suggested appointee, Ms Thulisile Madonsela. She has displayed a sense of fairness and justice, the ability to remain calm in a difficult situation. She has shown outstanding knowledge of the law and, most importantly, she is not affiliated to any political party.
We trust that she will be a breath of fresh air for this office, bringing her expertise and strength of character to this office. We trust that she will make the Office of the Public Protector an office for all the people of South Africa by making it acceptable to all the people of South Africa. A tough task lies ahead of our new Public Protector as much will be expected from this new appointee.
The DA expects the following: complete transparency and accountability, that the new appointee adhere strictly to the separation of powers, total lack of influence from any political party, strength of conviction to investigate any government official against whom a complaint is brought, and that the new appointee act only in the best interests of South Africa and the people of South Africa.
On behalf of the DA we wish the new Public Protector all the best with the work that lies ahead. We trust that we will not be disappointed by the appointee and we look forward to a free and fair and transparent Public Protector who will assist with the safeguarding of our Constitution. One nation, one future, one Public Protector! I thank you. [Applause.]