Opposition parties have expressed reservations about the appointment of former Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana as chairman of the Human Rights Commission.

Mushwana takes office next month.

The Democratic Alliance said it was concerned about his opinion that chapter nine organisations operate from within government.

The Inkatha Freedom Party agreed, saying Mushwana was seen to be part of government while he was Public Protector.

"As a public protector he was not very effective. There has been much exposure of scandals of corruption by the media," IFP parliamentarian Mario Oriani Ambrosini said on Thursday.

Advocate Thulisile Madonsela will take over from Mushwana when he leaves the Public Protector office.