Electoral Court recommends Pansy Tlakula step down

It is not yet clear if the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) will act upon the ruling passed by the Electoral Court today.

The court found that IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula did not follow proper procurement processes with the lease saga worth R320 million for the electoral offices in Centurion and recommended that she be relieved of her duties.

Since the information became public knowledge, opposition party leaders like Bantu Holomisa of the UDM have been gunning for the resignation of Tlakula.

In his written ruling Judge Lotter Wepener said: “In my view, the respondent compromised the independence and integrity of the commission to such an extent that her actions complained of constitute misconduct within the meaning of the Electoral Commission Act.”

Judge Wepener also added that the court recommends that a committee of the National Assembly adopts the facts, views and conclusion of the court that it finds the respondent has committed misconduct warranting her removal from office.

Last year Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and her office investigated Tlakula on the procurement process of the commission’s multi- million rand lease from property developer Abland. She found Tlakula guilty of maladministration and failing to disclose her relationship with Thaba Mufamadi, a part-owner of Abland. Reports suggest that Tlakula and Mufamadi were romantically involved.

Holomisa took to Twitter to support the decision for Tlakula to step down. At the time of going to press, IEC Spokesperson Kate Bapela was not available for comment on the ruling of the Electoral Court.