Parliament will have a tough time finding the best suitable candidate to replace Public Protector Thuli Madonsela after receiving applications and nominations of 21 "competent individuals". Madonsela and her deputy Kevin Malunga have been nominated again, even though Madonsela can't serve again after her term ends. This leaves only 20 eligible applications.Madonsela's seven-year term of office expires in October. In terms of section 183 of the constitution, the public protector is appointed for a nonrenewable period of seven years. What does it take to be the public protector?Public protector Thuli Madonsela has earned a reputation for busting state abuse of public money with the flair of a super-heroine."We've received very interesting nominations and this committee is going to have a very difficult time in deciding who is going to be shortlisted because looking at qualifications of those people already being nominated, they are all very competent individuals," said ad hoc committee chairman Makhosi Khoza. 'Let the public choose the protector'MPs want the public to have a greater say in the choice of the country's fourth public protector.The names will be made public a week after tomorrow's deadline.Khoza confirmed that the committee received a letter from Corruption Watch that called for an extension for public participation."We have considered the matter. However, we felt that as much as we would like to, there's no harm in receiving comments people may have but we would like to stick to dates and timelines we have given ourselves," said Khoza.She said people or organisations can write to the committee after the deadline date."I'm mentioning importance of sticking to date because you also want to have an opportunity to deal with those kinds of objections," said Khoza...