Reconsideration of the Appointment of Small Enterprise Ombudsperson Report

Video The Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development met to reconsider the appointment of the Small Enterprise Ombudsperson Report. The Report had initially identified four candidates as meeting the requirements for appointment, and it was subsequently referred back to the Committee by the National Assembly for further reconsideration. This decision was taken considering the concerns raised during declarations on the Report in the National Assembly. The Committee agreed that obtaining legal clarity was necessary to ensure that any further steps taken were fully compliant with the Constitution, applicable legislation and principles of administrative fairness. The Committee resolved to seek a formal legal opinion from the Parliamentary Legal Services regarding the possible reinterviewing of all eight shortlisted candidates for the position of Small Enterprise Ombud. The Committee was specifically seeking guidance on whether it was procedurally and legally permissible to reopen the interview process and afford all eight shortlisted candidates an equal opportunity to be reassessed. The Committee emphasised that this step was part of its ongoing commitment to uphold a transparent, fair and credible appointment process for the Office of the Small Enterprise Ombud, as envisaged in the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act ( Act No. 21 of 2024 ). Upon receipt and consideration of the legal opinion, the Committee would determine the appropriate way forward and communicate further developments in due course.