Legal experts say Advocate Dinkie Portia Dube’s appointment as deputy public protector is ‘ideal’ because of her experience.  

In a statement issued earlier today, the Presidency said Dube’s position takes effect from February 1 for a term of seven years.  

“The President has made this appointment in terms of Section 2A (1) of the Public Protector Act 23 of 1994, on the recommendation of the National Assembly,” read the statement. 

The position became vacant after former deputy public protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka took up the post as public protector. 

Dube has more than 20 years of experience in the public sector with expertise in oversight, complaints management and investigation. 

She is currently the director-general of the Public Service Commission, before which she served as the chief director: Operations in the office of the military Ombudsman. 

“Between 2011 and 2014, Advocate Dube was the provincial director of the Gauteng Office of the Public Protector South Africa. Her professional experience includes complaints resolution in the then Department of Trade and Industry’s Office of Consumer Protection and a tenure as a legal officer in the South African Human Rights Commission,” added the statement. 

President Cyril Ramaphosa wished Dube well in her new role as deputy public protector as a supreme administrative oversight body with the power to investigate, report on and remedy improper conduct in all matters of the state. 

Legal practitioner Mpumelelo Zikalala said Dube’s experience in complaints resolution made her a good candidate for the position.  

He added that she has experience with dealing with complaints and that she will be able to understand and fulfil her role.  

Attorney Vuyo Manisi said Dube seems to be the perfect candidate for the position because of her experience. 

“I say that as she has 20 years of experience in the public sector dealing with, among other things, complaints,” he added. 

Manisi said that the fact she was not new to the Office of the Public Protector worked in her favour as she worked at its Gauteng office from 2011 to 2014. 

“She doesn’t seem to be publicly affiliated with any political party. So yes, I see her as a perfect candidate for the position,” he concluded.   

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