IEC: ANC in Parliament recommends Zuma ally for Commissioner
24 February 2015
At today's sitting of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, the ANC used its majority to predictably bulldoze through a recommendation for Glenton Vuma Mashinini to become a Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). Mashinini is a close ally of President Jacob Zuma and he should never have been nominated for this position in the first place.
This selection process comes after the Electoral Court found last year that the former IEC Chairperson, Adv Pansy Tlakula, had not followed due process with regard to the procurement of new leased premises for the IEC. Ms Tlakula resigned before the matter was brought to Parliament.
It is the DA's contention that Mr 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 from undue political influence.
Mr Mashinini is currently employed as a Special Projects Advisor to the President.
In addition, Mr Mashinini's close relationship with the President and the Presidency pre-dates his appointment as a Special Adviser in 2012. In 2010, he was selected by the President to form part of a 12-person review panel to look at SOE reforms. Considering that at least two members from this panel have now moved on to high-profile government positions, the cosiness of the relationship between President Zuma and Mr Mashinini is definitely worrisome.
The IEC is a Chapter 9 institution charged with carrying out free and fair elections and should at all times remain independent and impartial. The ANC in Parliament's recommendation of Mr Mashinini for an IEC Commissionership flies directly in the face of these constitutional principles. His nomination now paves the way for President Zuma to appoint him as IEC Chairperson.
It is critical for South Africa's democracy that a suitable and competent Commissioner be identified to fill the vacancy at the IEC, and that the Chairpersonship of this institution is held by someone who is beyond reproach and capable of fairly and effectively running an organization dealing with multi-million rand budgets. The DA will do everything in our power to prevent the independence of the IEC, and the constitutional imperative of free and fair elections, from being compromised.
Statement issued by Haniff Hoosen MP, DA Shadow Minister of Home Affairs, February 24 2015
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