The parliamentary interview process to appoint a new public protector went pear-shaped for the one candidate most would say was an heir-apparent to the position‚ Deputy Public Protector Kevin Malunga. Before Malunga's interview even began‚ the committee tasked with choosing a successor to Thuli Madonsela received and briefly discussed a letter from the State Security Agency which said Malunga was not fit to be public protector because of his security clearance.According to Malunga‚ he is a South African citizen‚ born in Zimbabwe‚ with family ties in both countries. However‚ the State Security Agency states in a letter that his clearance is not categorised as “top secret”‚ invalidating him in the running for the post. The letter made mention of all 14 candidates vying for the public protector position‚ but appeared to have particularly bad news for Malunga and his hopes to ascend from his deputy position to that which is currently occupied by Madonsela.When questioned about this by the ad hoc committee‚ Malunga said he was a bona fide South African citizen and denounced his Zimbabwean citizenship around the time that his South African citizenship was finalised.“I denounced the Zim citizenship in 2010 and it will have to follow up if it was concluded. I got South African citizenship in 2010. I have family in Zimbabwe as well as South Africa‚ and I travel both countries very frequently. If the State Security Agency does not understand‚ that I feel very sorry for them‚" he said.Questioned by reporters after his interview‚ Malunga said it was up to the committee to make the final decision and would not comment on a matter that the committee was still considering. African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart expressed concern that Malunga was able to become deputy public protector despite security clearance concerns that were only uncovered years after he was appointed to his current position.The committee also challenged Malunga on ethical matters of consideration which he failed to disclose in the questionnaire. These include a driving under the influence charge which was later withdrawn and failure to pass his Wits Law School probation period as a lecturer.– TMG Digital..