The Office of the Public Protector has confirmed it is investigating allegations of an irregular appointment at the Free State Public Service Commission (PSC), centred on the selection and appointment of commissioner Brian Nakedi.
Complaint prompted formal probe
Public Protector spokesperson Oupa Segalwe said the enquiry follows an anonymous complaint lodged in January 2026. The office confirmed the matter is under investigation and noted such probes can take up to 18 months.
“The Public Protector South Africa confirms that an investigation into allegations of irregular appointment against the Free State Public Service Commission is underway,”
The commission is a constitutionally mandated body that monitors standards in public administration, including integrity, accountability and professional ethics. The probe therefore raises questions about the processes used to appoint senior oversight officials in the province.
Allegations focus on credentials and title
According to a version of the complaint seen by Sunday World, concerns were raised about whether Mr Nakedi met the published requirements for the senior public service role and about his academic credentials. The complaint also alleges he used the title “professor”, and that this may have influenced the perceptions of those involved in the appointment process.
The complaint contends that the title may have affected the recommendation by the selection committee, the ratification by the premier’s office and the president’s eventual appointment. It further alleges the title "boosted his chances for appointment" and that Mr Nakedi failed to correct what the complainant describes as a "material misrepresentation".
Investigation stage, no findings yet
The Public Protector’s office made clear it has not tested the allegations and that no finding of wrongdoing has been made against Mr Nakedi. The probe will determine whether administrative or procedural irregularities occurred during the recruitment and appointment process.
Key aspects the investigation may examine include:
- whether the selection committee followed the PSC’s recruitment criteria and the provincial regulations;
- the vetting and verification of academic or professional credentials presented during the process;
- any representations made about titles or qualifications and whether they were accurate;
- the role of the premier’s office and the President in ratifying and finalising the appointment.
Why this matters for the province
The Free State PSC plays an oversight role intended to uphold good governance in provincial departments and municipalities. If the appointment of a commissioner to that body were shown to have procedural flaws, it could undermine public confidence in the commission’s capacity to hold government accountable.
An ongoing Public Protector investigation also carries potential reputational consequences for the provincial administration, particularly given the PSC’s remit over professional ethics and service delivery standards in the public sector.
| Item | Known detail |
|---|---|
| Complainant | Anonymous (lodged January 2026) |
| Subject of complaint | Appointment of Brian Nakedi to Free State PSC |
| Main allegations | Irregular appointment process; questions about academic credentials and use of title “professor” |
| Investigating office | Public Protector South Africa |
| Investigation timeframe | Up to 18 months (standard) |
What happens next
The Public Protector will collect and assess evidence, which may include documents from the selection committee, correspondence with the premier’s office, any curriculum vitae or qualification certificates submitted during the process, and interviews with relevant officials. The office did not disclose further procedural details.
At this stage the allegation remains untested and Mr Nakedi has not been found to have committed any wrongdoing. The probe will determine whether remedial action or referrals to other institutions are warranted.
Residents and stakeholders mindful of provincial governance will be watching the outcome, as it bears on the integrity of bodies tasked with ensuring accountable public administration in the Free State.
Reporting based on a Public Protector statement and a Sunday World report seen by the Public Protector’s office.
