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Since 2016, Corruption Watch (CW) has actively monitored leadership appointments, especially to the Chapter 9 institutions that support our democratic framework.
Accordingly, not only have we vetted candidates in line for such leadership positions, but we have also made written submissions to several committees in Parliament and to Chapter 9 institutions on the transparency of such leadership appointment processes. Our aim is to strengthen and contribute to the better functioning of and improved transparency in the appointment processes of Chapter 9 and other related institutions provided for in the South African Constitution.
Our most recent intervention concerns the upcoming vacancies for three of the five commissioners of the Independent Electoral Commission – current chairperson Mosotho Moepya, Dr Nomsa Masuku, and Judge Dhaya Pillay, whose terms end on 1 November 2025. Earlier in the year the Office of the Chief Justice (OCJ) drove the process of nominations and a shortlist of 11 candidates was released in June.
CW was concerned that the OCJ did not provide the relevant CVs of the shortlisted candidates, which severely hampered meaningful participation and commentary and deprived the public of the chance to conduct proper due diligence on appointees who will represent their interests. This situation of providing appropriately redacted CVs is something that we have campaigned and advocated for, in the interests of appointments that are transparent and equitable.
We wasted no time in writing to the OCJ, requesting the provision of supporting documentation to ensure a transparent, participatory, and merit-based process. We asked for the CVs of shortlisted candidates to be made available, and we asked for the deadline for submissions to be pushed out to 16 July 2025
As a direct result of our letter, the OCJ responded swiftly to provide a link to a folder containing the redacted CVs, though did not accommodate our request on the extended deadline. The OCJ also gave us permission to share the CVs, in the interest of transparency, with individuals and other organisations – please access the folder here.
The deadline for submissions is Wednesday 9 July 2025.
All comments and enquiries should be addressed to Ms Mbali Songca and/or Ms Sanelisiwe Mthombeni and/or Ms Tebogo Phaahlamohlaka. Please direct enquiries to (010) 492 2633/2575.
The shortlisted candidates are as follows:
- Judge D Pillay.
- Judge MI Madondo.
- Ms J Pitso.
- Dr RT Govender.
- Mr G Abrahams.
- Adv GC Chaplog-Louw.
- Mr MS Moepya.
- Adv RK Sizani.
- Dr RL Martin.
- Mr NX Nyembezi.
- Ms J Liberty.
