DA calls for ad hoc committee to consider Tlakula judgment

19 June 2014

The Electoral Court's recommendation today that Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa chairperson, Adv Pansy Tlakula, be removed from her post is a very serious situation. It is the first time in our democracy that a member of a Chapter 9 institution has been found to have committed misconduct. 

The Democratic Alliance has obtained a copy of the judgment and will study it closely to determine what its implications are. We understand that Adv Tlakula may very well appeal the judgment to the Constitutional Court.

The National Assembly must appoint an ad hoc committee to consider the judgment and, presumably, the documents that were tabled to the previous ad hoc committee. Notwithstanding the judgment of the Electoral Court, the ad hoc committee would itself have to find that Adv Tlakula needs to be removed from office on the "ground of misconduct, incapacity or incompetence". If the committee did find that she need to be removed from office, the National Assembly would have to pass a resolution to that effect.

The very credibility and the stability of the Electoral Commission is at stake. 

Adv Tlakula may wish to consider voluntarily stepping down to prevent a protracted process that would damage the reputation not only of her as a person and a legal practitioner, but that of the Electoral Commission itself.

Statement issued by James Selfe MP, Chairperson of DA Federal Executive, June 19 2014

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