President Ramaphosa renews the terms of two seasoned commissioners but does not reinstate Masuku, who faces a R1.2 million fraud case.
PRETORIA – In a clear move signalling a stance on accountability, corruption-accused Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Commissioner Nomsa Masuku will not be returning to her position after her term expired on Tuesday.
The terms of three commissioners—Masuku, Mosotho Moepya, and Dhaya Pillay—came to an end simultaneously. However, President Cyril Ramaphosa has only re-appointed Moepya and Pillay, leaving Masuku off the new list of commissioners.
Masuku was arrested in June 2023 on charges of defrauding Standard Bank of R1.2 million. The alleged crime dates back to her previous role as head of the bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) unit and is unrelated to her work at the electoral body. Despite the serious charges, she had continued to serve as a commissioner since her appointment in 2018, overseeing three national and local government elections.
A Smooth Transition of Power
The swift filling of the vacancies has been welcomed by the IEC. Masego Sheburi, the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, praised the efficient process led by the Chief Justice.
“The commission extends its gratitude to the Chief Justice and the panel that she constituted to expedite the process, and working diligently to ensure she could present her recommendations to Parliament, for parliament to process, and in turn, submit to the president for consideration and decision,” Sheburi stated.
This proactive approach ensures continuity and stability within the commission, which is crucial for maintaining public confidence in the electoral process.
A New Commissioner Steps In
Filling the vacancy left by Masuku, Joyce Pitso has been announced as the new commissioner. Her seven-year term commenced immediately on Wednesday, bringing fresh leadership to the independent body tasked with safeguarding the heart of South Africa’s democracy.
The decision not to reinstate Masuku, while retaining the experienced Moepya and Pillay, underscores a critical balancing act between the presumption of innocence and the imperative of preserving the integrity of a key state institution.
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