EFF calls for graft-accused IEC commissioner Nomsa Masuku to resign
Nomsa Masuku was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly committing fraud worth R1.2 million related to student scholarships and bursaries.
Masuku made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court sitting in Palm Ridge, where she was granted R20,000 bail.
The alleged offenses were committed during her tenure as head of Standard Bank's Social Corporate Investments Programme, before her appointment at the IEC, between December 2012 and March 2013.
However, the Economic Freedom Fighter’s national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys says the accusations against Masuku cast a shadow over the IEC and further eroded public trust in our democratic institutions.
“This accusation comes at a highly sensitive time, following the recent elections where there have been significant public concerns about the fairness and integrity of the electoral process.”
Mathys says the EFF hopes that the investigation was not already known when Masuku was appointed to her current position at the IEC as it puts a question on the parliamentary process of appointing commissioners
“If such oversight occurred, it would represent a serious dishonoring of our constitution and the values it upholds. It is essential that those appointed to such critical positions are thoroughly vetted to prevent any potential breaches of trust and integrity,” Mathys added.
Meanwhile, authorities say they are searching for a second suspect in the case against Masuku.
The state has alleged that Masuku transferred a sum of R800,000 to a second individual implicated in the case. She is also accused of illicitly awarding bursaries worth R400 000 to ineligible recipients, including family members and friends.
The IEC said it noted the arrest and, while the charges relate to a period when Masuku was not working at the commission, it will be monitoring developments in the court case.
The matter was postponed to 4 September.
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