Is SAHRC in crisis?
The current Commissioners term of Office ended 30 September and currently there is only one Commissioner in office, Commissioner Ameermia. This has appeared to have rendered the SAHRC immobile and unable to even convene a Section 11 meeting if a crisis emerges before appointments are recommended by the Portfolio Committee on Justice and President Zuma decides and announces. There are serious concerns not only that the process of appointments have been rushed but that one of the important Chapter 9 Institutions that guard our democracy is at the moment paralyzed and without leadership, incapable of making decisions. We urge that this is given priority for resolution by Government.
THE SA FIRST FORUM has extensively researched the 18 Candidates presently shortlisted and a representative attended most of the interviews SAHRC Nominations 2016 Campaign. A letter has been sent to the Portfolio Committee on Justice:
SA FIRST FORUM recommend and support the following candidates:
Professor Bongani Majola is supported by SA FIRST FORUM to be appointed the Chairperson. He was dignified and his past work experience and good relationships and respect fostered with all staff at LRC bear testimony to his undoubted ability to lead the SAHRC and increase our international standing as one of the foremost HRC’s in the world.
Ms Sewpal Jana: SOUTH AFRICA FIRST FORUM supportS her appointment and believe that her long experience in human rights and international experience as an ambassador would make her an excellent Vice Chairperson of the SAHRC
Professor Bonita Meyersfeld – We are deeply impressed by the past work and knowledge of her and together with her vast experience working in civil society together with her time spent working in the House of Lords – SA FIRST FORUM believe she should be appointed a Commissioner
Ms Angie Makwetla is supported BY SA FIRST FORUM to be appointed a Commissioner and would bring her vast business experience together with knowledge of working with government and her views on fostering a caring society in South Africa
Professor Firoz Cachalia is an outstanding astute academic that would lend great legal insights. His working in an academic environment would bring much needed support to the student crisis we will face for the next few years in SA. SA FIRST FORUM fully support his nomination
Ms Pat Moodley is supported
Krish Govender is supported but believe he is better suited in his current employ.
We cannot comment on Professor Ntlana as SA First Forum did not attend the interview and we cannot find sufficient information on her work and character.
​We are concerned that the following candidates lack experience of working with civil society and do not demonstrate a thorough knowledge of human rights law:
Mr Jonas Sibanyoni and Andre Gaum
THE SA FIRST FORUM regards the 3 current Commissioners that are nominated for reappointment as not having performed adequately during their tenure, and/or for other reasons, and urge that they are not reappointed:
Adv. Bokankatla Malatji, Commissioner Lindiwe Mokate, ​Commissioner Lourens Mushwana
THE SA FIRST FORUM has grave concerns and believe the following nominees do not fulfill the criteria and SA FORUM DO NOT SUPPORT THEIR POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT.
Chris Nissen, ​Ms Janine Hicks, Ndileka Portia Loyilane, ​Ms Asha Ramgobin
Asking the Portfolio Committee members to take our concerns and recommendations into consideration.
Kind regards
Rod Solomons
Convener of SA First Forum
[i] THE SA FIRST FORUM regards the South African Human Rights Commission, and the accompanying legislative framework as a crucial guarantee that the human rights of all South Africans and all those that live on this land, are promoted and protected. Thus we are deeply committed to participating in the process so as to ensure that the best candidates are selected to lead this important Chapter 9 Institution. We submitted an initial input into this process on the 30 September 2016 and again on the 11 October before the interviews.