Cape Town - African National Congress MP Lawrence Mushwana was recommended by a parliamentary committee on Wednesday to succeed Selby Baqwa as South Africa's new Public Protector.

Baqwa's term of office ends on September 30.

Mushwana, who is currently the National Council of Provinces deputy chairperson, had the unanimous support of MPs from the ANC, Inkatha Freedom Party, New National Party and United Christian Democratic Party.

The Democratic Alliance's Hendrik Schmidt rejected Mushwana's nomination, but said this was subject to his party's decision at its caucus meeting on Thursday.

The decision to recommend Mushwana was made by parliament's ad hoc committee on the appointment of a public protector and follows public interviews and the short-listing of 14 candidates.

Its recommendation will be forwarded to the National Assembly which, in terms of the Constitution, has to approve it with at least 60 percent of the 400-member House.

If the necessary support is secured, Mushwana's name will be forwarded to President Thabo Mbeki who will appoint him for a non-renewable term of seven years.

The public protector is one of six institutions supporting democracy and the official's independence is protected by the Constitution.

Mushwana was nominated for the post by Parow magistrate Rodney Black.

He said during public interviews that he would resign his membership of the ANC and would end his interest in a law firm in Pretoria and Bushbuckridge should he be appointed.

During Wednesday's committee deliberations, NNP MP Johann Durand said his party had no qualms about Mushwana's ability to be independent and impartial, even though he was an ANC member.

"It would be good, eventually, that it becomes practice in the appointment of the public protector, that we look at someone coming from parliament.

"No one else is so in tune with the public service, as a member of parliament."

UCDP MP Sipho Mfundisi said he had been impressed by Mushwana's "composure and disposition".

"He is not excitable like the outgoing public protector himself."

IFP MP Madala Mzizi said it was quite clear that Mushwana was honest, and had not tried to downplay his ANC membership and had the necessary legal qualifications and experience for the job.

ANC MP Mike Masutha said his party had no doubt that Mushwana was the most suitable candidate.

The fact that he spoke 10 out of the country's 11 official languages would make him accessible to all South Africans.

However, Schmidt said Lawyers for Human Rights executive director Dr Vinodh Jaichand, was the most suitable candidate for the post.

Mushwana could not be supported as there was a "major problem" with MPs electing a public protector from their own ranks, and an ANC-elected official at that.

"I find it very difficult to support such a nominee. It is supposed to be an independent body," he said.

Reached for comment in Geneva, Mushwana said any statement would be premature as the National Assembly had yet to endorse his nomination.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and www.news24.co.za