Interviews for the 14 shortlisted candidates vying for the Public Protector position will be held this Thursday in Parliament’s Old Assembly building, in Cape Town.

Dr Makhosi Khoza, chairperson of an ad hoc committee established to nominate a person asf Public Protector, said the committee intended interviewing all candidates in one day.

“The rationale behind this is to ensure that candidates do not have unfair advantage over others, as these interviews will be broadcast live,” she said.

All candidates are scheduled to arrive at 07:00 for registration and related processes. The first interview is planned for 07:45, with the last one arranged for 23:00.

Among the candidates are High Court advocate Mhlaliseni Mthembu, adjunct professor Narnia Bohler-Muller, advocate Nonkosi Cetywayo, Pension Funds adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane, former head of the Special Investigating Unit and current National Prosecuting Authority deputy national director of public prosecutions Willie Hofmeyer and High Court attorney Jill Oliphant, among others.

The shortlist was cut down from 73 candidates in June.

Outgoing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has been in the position since 2009 and has investigated landmark cases, such as the case against the country’s incumbent President Jacob Zuma, finding the latter guilty of benefiting unduly from a R246-million upgrade to his homestead.

Madonsela was also a member of the team who drafted the country's much-vaunted Constitution.