Johannesburg - The IEC has approached lawyers to help determine how to recoup money used for the legal battles of its former chairwoman Pansy Tlakula, the City Press reported on Sunday.
“The Electoral Commission has briefed senior counsel to provide a legal option, firstly, on whether the former chairperson was entitled to receive assistance with legal fees from commission funds,” IEC deputy chairman Terry Tselane was quoted as saying.
“Secondly, on whether the CEO acted properly in terms of the relevant legislation in approving and paying these fees. Thirdly, whether there was an obligation on the former chairperson to repay these funds in light of the failure of her court applications.”
Tselane said the commission would determine the most appropriate course of action based on the legal advice.
The IEC paid R2 million towards Tlakula's legal attempts to defend herself from allegations of misconduct involving a R320m lease contract.
Before the May 7 general election several political parties took Tlakula to court, claiming her integrity had been compromised.
This followed an investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela into the procurement of the IEC's headquarters in Centurion.
Madonsela also found Tlakula had a relationship, possibly of a romantic nature, with then chairman of Parliament's finance portfolio committee Thaba Mufamadi. Mufamadi was a shareholder in Abland, and he and Tlakula were co-directors of Lehotsa Investments.
The Electoral Court found Tlakula's conduct warranted her removal from office. Her application to the Constitutional Court for leave to appeal was dismissed.
Tlakula resigned in September.
Sapa