Treasury on Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) forensic report

18 Mar 2014

National Treasury has noted media requests for interviews regarding the forensic report into the acquisition of office space at Riverside Park for the Independent Electoral Commission (see M&G Online report).

National Treasury got involved in this matter at the recommendation of the Public Protector. As part of the remedial actions, the Public Protector recommended that the Electoral Commission:

"In consultation with the National Treasury's Chief Procurement Officer, consider commissioning a forensic investigation into the entire lease agreement and the related expenditure in order to determine a fair market value of the contract and related expenditure and recover any extravagant expenditure incurred and further, to investigate the cession of the agreement from Abland to Riverside Park Trust."

To expedite the commissioning of the forensic investigation, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) asked National Treasury to draw from its panel of suppliers of forensic investigation services. Once completed the report was handed over to the IEC commissioners (see here - PDF).

The decision on how best to deal with the forensic report, especially any remedial issues arising from it, is the responsibility of the IEC. So, that being the case, National Treasury will not comment on the report. All media queries in this regard must be directed to the IEC.

Statement issued by National Treasury, March 18 2014

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