Public Protector at 30: Ramaphosa Praises Its Role in Defending Democracy

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the Public Protector’s work remains essential in a democracy still consolidating its institutions after apartheid.

As the Office of the Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) marks three decades of service, President Cyril Ramaphosa has lauded the institution’s central role in protecting democracy, accountability, and citizens’ rights. Speaking at a commemorative dinner in Cape Town on Tuesday, the President described the Public Protector as a “guardian of the public interest and a moral mirror of the state.”

Established in October 1995, the PPSA was one of the first Chapter 9 institutions created under South Africa’s democratic Constitution to uphold integrity and ensure that state power is exercised within the law. Over the past 30 years, the office has grown into a vital mechanism for oversight, helping to strengthen governance, expose maladministration, and defend citizens against abuse of power.

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The Guardian of Accountability

President Ramaphosa emphasised that the Public Protector’s work remains essential in a democracy still consolidating its institutions after apartheid.

“We know that failings can occur. Power can be misused and abused. Public institutions and public officials can neglect the needs of those they are meant to serve. When they do, they have to be held accountable. That is why we need the guardians,” the President said.

He urged public officials to respect and enforce the Public Protector’s remedial actions, stressing that their independence is not optional but a constitutional imperative.

“If government creates an institution that does not appear, from a reasonable person’s point of view, to be independent, it has failed to meet a critical benchmark. We all carry a responsibility to safeguard the independence of the Office of the Public Protector and affirm the binding nature of its remedial action,” he added.

Ramaphosa described the office as a shield for citizens against the excesses of state power, noting that its strength lies in its credibility, impartiality, and courage to act “without fear, favour, or prejudice.”

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Chapter 9 Institutions: The Pillars of Democracy

Reflecting on the framers of South Africa’s Constitution, the President noted that they intentionally endowed Chapter 9 institutions with broad investigative powers and a duty to protect democracy.

“The Public Protector remains the moral compass of the state. Its effectiveness is a key indicator of the health of our democracy,” he said.

Chapter 9 institutions—including the PPSA, the Human Rights Commission, the Auditor-General, and the Commission for Gender Equality—were designed to anchor accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights.

Their purpose, the President said, is to ensure that the government continues to serve the people and that the Constitution’s promise of equality, unity, prosperity, and freedom is fulfilled.

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From Individual Complaints to Systemic Change

While many of the PPSA’s investigations begin with individual complaints from citizens, the institution’s work often exposes systemic governance failures and policy weaknesses that affect entire communities.

Over the years, its findings have led to administrative reforms, improved service delivery, and stronger internal controls within government departments. The Public Protector’s binding remedial powers, confirmed by the Constitutional Court, have also reinforced the idea that no public official is above the law.

“The Office holds the powerful to account — it can investigate anyone, including presidents, ministers, and senior officials. This demonstrates that no one is immune from scrutiny,” Ramaphosa noted.

He added that the true measure of the Constitution’s value lies in whether it protects “the weakest and most vulnerable as much as the strong.”

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Building Relationships Across State and Society

Over three decades, the PPSA has built an important relationship of trust with ordinary citizens, while also strengthening partnerships with other oversight and governance institutions.

Ramaphosa emphasised that such collaboration is essential for building an ethical, people-centred state:

“The Office has forged relationships with institutions across all arms of state and throughout society. It has promoted cooperation and understanding that an efficient, effective, and ethical state is a shared aspiration — and a shared responsibility.”

He called on all organs of state to view the Public Protector not as an adversary but as a partner in advancing good governance and social justice.

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Legacy and Leadership

Since its establishment in 1995, the Office has been led by several distinguished figures, including Selby Baqwa, Lawrence Mushwana, Thuli Madonsela, and Kholeka Gcaleka, who now serves as the incumbent Public Protector.

Each tenure has faced unique challenges, from institutional consolidation in the early years to high-profile investigations that tested the boundaries of accountability. Despite controversies and political pressures, the institution has endured, reflecting its constitutional resilience and public relevance.

Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka, appointed in 2023, has focused on restoring trust, strengthening internal capacity, and modernising investigative systems. Under her leadership, the office has increased outreach to rural and marginalised communities, ensuring that access to justice extends beyond urban centres.

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Looking Forward: Strengthening Oversight and Public Trust

As South Africa’s democracy matures, the role of the Public Protector is expected to evolve in response to new governance challenges — including corruption in digital procurement, maladministration in municipalities, and accountability in state-owned enterprises.

To remain effective, analysts suggest that the PPSA requires adequate funding, professional independence, and continuous institutional reform to keep pace with complex public administration systems.

Ramaphosa affirmed government’s commitment to safeguarding these principles:

“The Public Protector must continue to serve as the conscience of our nation — a constant reminder that the exercise of power must always be restrained by law, grounded in integrity, and directed toward the service of the people.”

Thirty years after its founding, the Office of the Public Protector remains a cornerstone of South Africa’s constitutional democracy — a watchdog for integrity, a voice for citizens, and a bulwark against abuse of power.

As the country looks ahead, its continued effectiveness will depend on collective respect for its independence, public confidence in its fairness, and ongoing commitment to the ideals of justice and accountability that inspired its creation.