Mashinini appointment a blow to IEC

The DA notes the appointment of Vuma Glenton Mashinini as the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by President Jacob Zuma.

We view this appointment as the latest attempt by the President to capture a critical state institution. Mr Mashinini is a close ally of President Zuma and he should never have been nominated for this position in the first place.

It is the DA’s contention that Mr Mashinini’s close relationship with President Zuma, through his former post as Special Projects Advisor, rises to the level of a conflict of interest and renders him unsuitable to hold office at this Chapter 9 institution, which needs to be independent and free from undue political influence.

Just last week a reply to a DA parliamentary question revealed that Mr Mashinini raked in over R1.5 million a year as the President’s advisor. It is not at all clear exactly what these “special projects” are and whether this position warranted such a hefty annual salary.

The Chairpersonship of this institution must be held by someone who is beyond reproach.

The constitutional imperative of free and fair elections cuts right to the heart of our democracy and we must defend it at all costs.

The DA believes this appointment is irrational and not in the interests of an independent IEC or free and fair elections.

We will be consulting our lawyers to ascertain what steps can be taken to prevent the Zumafication of the IEC.

Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, April 23 2015