COMMITTEE REPORTS

National Assembly

1. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee on the nomination of Electoral Commissioners, dated 11 October 2011. 

The National Assembly resolved on 14 September 2011 to establish an Ad Hoc Committee to nominate persons for appointment as Electoral Commissioners in accordance with section 193(5) of the Constitution, 1996 and section 6(2) (d) of the Electoral Commission Act (No. 51 of 1996). 

A multi party Committee made up of the following members was composed:

Hon. R Bhengu (ANC), Hon. C Dudley (ACDP), Hon. A Gaum (ANC), Hon. SP Holomisa (ANC), Hon. J Jefferey (ANC), Hon. JD Kilian (COPE), Hon. A Lovemore (DA), Hon. HN Makhuba (IFP), Hon. TM Masutha (ANC), Hon. M Maunye (ANC), Hon. J Moloi-Moropa (ANC), Hon. M Mnqasela (DA) and Hon. F Muthambi (ANC).  

The Ad Hoc Committee met on 5 October 2011 to elect the Chairperson and discuss its work procedure and programme. Hon S P Holomisa was unanimously elected as Chairperson of the Ad Hoc Committee. In view of the fact that the nominees presented to Parliament for consideration for appointment as Electoral Commissioners had already been interviewed by the panel which was established in terms of section 6(3) of the Electoral Commission Act 51 of 1996, the Committee resolved not to conduct any further interviews but rather consider the report of the panel and the curriculum vitae of the candidates.  The panel comprised of the following members:

The Chief Justice (Chairperson), the Chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission, the Acting Chairperson of the Commission for Gender Equality and the Public Protector.  

The panel conducted interviews of 17 candidates who were shortlisted. Ms Shirley Evangelina Mabusela, who was also shortlisted, subsequently withdrew her application. The panel deliberated on the candidates and compiled a list of names to be submitted to the National Assembly to decide on the four names that should be nominated and submitted to the President for appointment.

The list of candidates submitted by the Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa to the Speaker for consideration was as follows:

•	Adv. Pansy Tlakula
•	Mr Terry Ismael Tselane
•	Rev. Frank Chikane
•	Rev. Bongani Blessings Finca
•	Dr Sebiletso Mokone-Matabane
•	Mrs Phumelele Nzimande
•	Mr Paul Malcolm Graham
•	Ms Illona Tip
•	Ms Raenette Taljaard
•	Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa

In addition, the list included the highlights of the key qualities that place each of the candidates in the category of the most suitable.

The Ad Hoc Committee met on 11 October 2011 to deliberate on the names of candidates who were recommended by the panel for nomination.  

After consideration of the panel’s report and the candidates’ curriculum vitae, the Ad Hoc Committee recommends the following candidates for nomination as Electoral Commissioners:

•	Adv. Pansy Tlakula
•	Mr Terry Ismael Tselane
•	Rev. Bongani Blessings Finca
•	Ms Raenette Taljaard

Report to be considered.