South Africa: Justice and Correctional Services Committee Recommends Six Commissioners for SAHRC

30 November 2023
Parliament of South Africa (Cape Town)
press release

The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services today resolved to recommend Mr Chris Nissen as the new Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC)

Committee Chairperson Mr Bulelani Magwanishe said the committee also resolved to recommend Dr Willem Hendrik Boshoff, Ms Elspeth Nomahlubi Berlinda Khwinana and

Prof Tshepo Madlingozi as full time commissioners. Adv Sandra Makoasha and Mr Aseza Arthur Gungubele received the support for part-time commissioners. Mr Magwanishe said six vacancies - four full-time and two part-time posts would become vacant next month (December) when the term of six commissioners comes to an end.

Thirteen candidates were shortlisted for interviews, but one of them was removed from the list on the first day of the interviews as she did not provide her fingerprints for screening as required. The list included four current serving commissioners. The committee resolved to recommend only the return of Mr Nissen out of the four.

Mr Magwanishe said the committee did extensive interviews with all shortlisted candidates, their qualifications were verified and screenings were done by the State Security Agency. He said: "We applied our minds as to the skills set, passion, commitment and dedication that is required to turn around the situation at the SAHRC. We are confident that the chosen candidates have that."

The committee had previously adopted the criteria for qualification to assume these roles, which are based broadly on the South African Human Rights Commission Act. The SAHRC's objectives are to promote respect for human rights and a culture of human rights. It also aims to promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights and to monitor and assess the observance of human rights in South Africa. The Commission's head office is in Gauteng.

An applicant or nominee must be a South African citizen and a fit and proper person to hold office at the Commission, as contemplated in section 193(1) of the Constitution. They must also have a record of commitment to promoting respect for human rights and a culture of human rights and be a person with applicable knowledge or experience with regards to matters relating to the Commission's objectives.

Mr Magwanishe said the committee report on the recommendations will now be sent to the National Assembly for its decision.

Read the original article on Parliament of South Africa.

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