New IEC boss is in the Presidency’s pocket
16 April 2015
Vuma Mashinini, who is earmarked to be the next Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), has been employed in the Presidency since May 2010, earning well over R1 million a year.
This has emerged in reply to a DA parliamentary question.
Between May 2010 and April 2012, Mr Mashinini was employed as Vice Chairman of the President’s review commission on State Owned Enterprises. In this capacity, he was able to bill an hourly rate of R1 121, capped at a maximum of 160 hours per month. This means he could have hauled in an annual bounty of nearly R2.2 million. An almost presidential salary.
In November 2012, Mr Mashinini was appointed as a full-time advisor to President Zuma on “special projects”, with a price tag of over R1.4 million a year. On his current contract, which is linked to Zuma’s term of office, he rakes in over R1.5 million per year.
Mr Mashinini is clearly on a very lucrative wicket at the Presidency. He has been enjoying the benefits of presidential patronage for years now. His proximity to the President casts real doubt on his ability to be independent and non-partisan at the IEC.
I will submit further questions to determine exactly how much Mr Mashinini earned at the hourly rate between 2010 and 2012, and to discover exactly what the “special projects” are that he has been advising the President on.
Text of parliamentary reply:
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NUMBER: 695
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 March 2015
Dr M J Cardo (DA) to ask the Minister in The Presidency:
Did The Presidency engage the professional services of Mr G V Mashinini since 1 January 2009, whom Parliament has recommended for appointment as a Commissioner of the Independent Electoral Commission; if so, (a) in what capacity was the person appointed and (b) what (i) were the terms, (ii) was the duration of the person’s appointment and (iii) remuneration did the person receive in each case? NW842E
REPLY
No, The Presidency did not engage the professional services of Mr GV Mashinini from 1 January 2009. Instead, Mr Mashihini’s services were engaged from May 2010.
(a) Capacity:
Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Review Committee on State Owned Enterprises; and
Presidential Adviser.
(b)(i) Terms:
Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Review Committee on State owned Enterprises
Full-time Presidential Adviser responsible for Special Projects.
(ii) Duration of appointment:
Vice Chairperson of the Presidential Review Committee on State owned Enterprises: May 2010 to 30 April 2012
Presidential Adviser:
- Contract one (1) from 19 November 2012 linked to the term of office of the President (i.e. 30 June 2014).
- Contract two (2) from 1 July 2014 linked to the term of office of the President (i.e. 30 June 2019).
(iii) Remuneration:
As Vice Chairperson:
- 1 January 2012 – R1,121 per hour, capped at 160 hours per month
As Presidential Adviser:
- 19 Nov 2012 – 31 March 2013: R1,406,796 per annum
- 1 April 2013 – 31 March 2014: R1,485,576 per annum
- 1 April 2014 – date: R1,570,254 per annum
Statement issued by Dr Michael Cardo MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister in the Presidency, April 16 2015
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