Zuma appoints another crony as IEC Commissioner

14 October 2015

According to media reports this afternoon, President Zuma has appointed one of his close allies and former ‘Special Projects Advisor’, Vuma Glenton Mashinini, as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). 

In 2010 Mashinini was a member of 12-person review panel appointed by President Zuma on State-Owned Enterprise reforms. At least two members from this panel have now moved on to high-profile government positions, and it would appear that Mashinini is finally receiving his reward.

Mashinini’s close relationship with President Zuma 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 of undue political influence.

This is one more disgraceful move by a President whose term in office has been marred by one irrational appointment after another.

It is critical for South Africa’s democratic processes that the Commissioner be beyond reproach, and capable of fairly and effectively running an organiaation tasked with multi-million rand budgets and the custodian of free and fair elections which is the bedrock of any democratic nation.

Mashinini’s appointment as IEC Commissioner flies directly in the face of the constitutional principles that govern the IEC, and will in time undoubtedly compromise its credibility.

The DA will do everything in our power to prevent the independence of the IEC, and the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections, being compromised.

Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, 14 October 2015