Draft profile of Deputy Public Protector Adv. Kevin Sifiso Malunga

Adv. Malunga commenced his seven-year term as South Africa�s second Deputy Public Protector in December 2012, shortly after his appointment to the position by President Jacob Zuma. His appointment to deputise for Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, followed an involved selection process, including rigorous interviews by a multiparty Parliamentary Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which later recommended him for the job ahead of three other candidates.

Adv Malunga spent time in various countries around the world, including the United States, Swaziland and Zimbabwe where he earned his stripes as a trained lawyer. He holds a BA Law from the University of Swaziland .He also acquired an LLB degree from the University of Natal in South Africa and an LLM in International Law from Georgetown University Law Centre in Washington DC.

An academic of note, Adv Malunga is currently a candidate for Doctor of Juridical Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School in the US. His dissertation focuses on �South Africa�s Unfinished Business: The challenges of implementing the rights to housing and education. A legal and policy analysis.� His passion for education can be seen in his seven-year stint as a law lecturer at his alma mater, the University of Natal, and the University of the Witwatersrand.

Adv. Malunga, who is a member of several professional societies including the American Society of International Law, has had an illustrious legal career dating back to the early 2000s and South Africa has benefited immensely from his wealth of knowledge as seen in several legal positions he has held.

His most recent contributions include serving as spokesperson for the Marikana Judicial Commission of Inquiry, which was commissioned by President Zuma to investigate investigate circumstances surrounding the tragic wild cat strike at the Lonmin Mine in Marikana, near Rustenburg in the North West Province, where over 40 people lost their lives, leaving many injured.

Apart from handling communication matters on behalf of the Commission, Adv. Malunga was also instrumental in crafting strategy and managing logistics on behalf of the Commission, advising Commissioners on legal and other issues affecting the Commission�s mandate and engaging with key stakeholders on behalf of the Commission.

Adv. Malunga also served as a State Law Adviser: Policy Co-ordination and Monitoring at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, with his responsibilities including the Traditional Courts Bill, the Discussion Document on the Transformation of the Judiciary, drafting legislation, formulating policy, researching and preparing speeches for the Minister.

He has also served as an aide and researcher to the Committee on Institutional Models in the former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo�s office, where he was also an interim Chief of Staff. Among his responsibilities, were liaison with the judiciary, parliament and the executive on behalf of the Chief Justice and running the day to day operations of the Chief Justice�s private office, including penning speeches for him. He has also served as a Senior Researcher: Judicial Research, Legislation and Policy in the same office.

His private practice exploits include serving as the Executive Director of Mbube Consulting CC, a training and advisory consultancy that provided compliance advice to private and public sector entities. His area of focus included drafting legal documents and providing continuing legal education. He was also involved in legal education work at the Black Lawyers Association where he served as a Trustee of the Legal Education Centre. Adv. Malunga has also served as a member of the Ntsebeza Legal Team for reparations against multinational companies in the in the US.

Adv. Malunga was also a part-time researcher/consultant to UNAIDS on international and domestic laws affecting HIV vaccine trialists in Ethiopia. In December 2010 he was appointed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Blade Nzimande to serve as a Board member of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for a period of five years.

His passion for human rights, fairness, equity and justice is well known by most who have interacted with him.