IEC now needs strong leadership
03 September 2014
The Democratic Alliance notes the resignation of Advocate Pansy Tlakula from her position as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The Electoral Court found that Adv Tlakula had not followed due process with regard to the procurement of new leased premises for the IEC and recommended that a committee of the National Assembly find that it warranted her removal from office.
This is a very serious offence and marks the first time that a member of a Chapter 9 institution has been found to have committed such misconduct.
We believe that Adv Tlakula has done the right thing. She was heavily implicated in issues around the lease of a building for the IEC's Head Office, a matter in which the Public Protector found maladministration.
While there was no evidence of corruption, a subsequent forensic audit found that this deal did indeed have a severe impact on the public purse. Many months of due process have culminated in a situation where Parliament would have to rule in a case where a court of law has already declared maladministration.
It is our belief that Parliament would be unlikely to go against the court ruling, and that Adv Tlakula was likely to face termination. Given these circumstances, it was preferable for her to resign than to go through the indignity of being forced out.
Adv Tlakula's performance in the 2014 General Elections was superlative. She leaves behind an impressive legacy in the institution, in terms of managing elections.
It is indeed regrettable that an issue such as the lease of a building, which is totally unrelated to running elections, has so radically impaired the standing of the IEC, and her own reputation. We have always found her to be fair and competent in her core business, and from this standpoint, her resignation is a loss.
Looking forward, it is critical for South Africa's democracy that a suitable and competent replacement be identified. This person must have the capacity to manage a multi-million rand organisation, with hundreds of thousands of electoral staff, over twenty-thousand voting locations, and complicated processes central to our democracy.
We believe that the Commission would be strengthened through the identification of someone competent in dealing with matters of law. Critically, this individual must be above reproach if the institution is to regain the trust of the nation.
Statement issued by James Selfe MP, Chairperson of the DA's Federal Executive, September 3 2014
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