Committee to examine IEC office scandal

IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula Photo: Phill Magakoe

IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula Photo: Phill Magakoe

Published Sep 5, 2013

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Parliament will establish an ad-hoc committee to “consider” the findings by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela relating to the procurement of the IEC's headquarters in Centurion.

“The establishment of the ad-hoc committee will be tabled in the NA (National Assembly) next week, together with a time frame for it to complete its work... and recommend a course of action,” Parliament said in a statement on Thursday.

“As is the case with other committees of the NA, the ad-hoc committee will comprise proportional representation from political parties represented in the House.”

This meant there would be seven members of the African National Congress, two of the Democratic Alliance, one of the Congress of the People, one of the Inkatha Freedom Party, and one from smaller parties represented in the Assembly.

By early next week, parties were expected to provide the names of their chosen members to serve on the committee.

Last month, Madonsela recommended that Parliament consider taking action against Independent Electoral Commission chairwoman Pansy Tlakula for her “grossly irregular” role in the procurement of the Riverside Office Park building for the commission's head office.

Madonsela found improper conduct and maladministration on Tlakula's part, and a conflict of interest involving a co-director, with whom she was accused of being romantically involved. The man, Thaba Mufamadi, had a 20 percent stake in Abland, which was awarded the R320 million contract to lease the building.

He is also Parliament's finance portfolio committee chairman.

Madonsela found that Tlakula had failed to disclose her business relationship with Mufamadi to the bidding team, which compromised her independence and objectivity.

Sapa

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