IEC Secretary’s appointment questioned, denies friendship with Masisi

The Secretary of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Jefferson Siamisang has refuted accusations that he landed the lucrative post by virtue of having previously conducted private business with President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi.

According to Section 65A (2) of the Electoral Act, the Secretary of the IEC “shall be appointed by the President” and at (3) his/her functions shall, subject to the directions and supervision of the IEC Commission, be to exercise general supervision over the registration of voters for elections of (a) the Elected Members of the National Assembly, and (b) the members of any local authority.

The appointment of the IEC head honcho in July 2022 has now attracted furious curiosity from the opposition Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) and its Madibelatlhopo faction, who suspect there is more to it than meets the eye, especially given the two men’s private interests in cattle ranching.

Siamisang was District Commissioner for many years since 1994 in areas like Maun and Selebi Phikwe, Kanye, Goodhope and Ghanzi.

Later he was appointed deputy permanent secretary in the then Ministry of Infrastructure Science and Technology and was transferred to the Ministry of Youth where he retired in 2014.

At the end of his civil service, Siamisang wanted to further his academic studies but was hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic as he could not conduct his research. He told The Midweek Sun this week that as a District Commissioner in Gantsi, he kept cattle. In 2022, he transported the cattle from Gantsi to

Banyana Farms, where he and other farmers had applied and been leased a farm. He said it is public knowledge that he was given a farm at Banyana Farms, but clarifies that he had applied for it like any other person, and does not work for the President as UDC president Duma Boko insinuated recently.

He acknowledged that this might have caused some form of confusion with some political figures who might have concluded that the cattle belonged to the President.

Speaking to The Midweek Sun this week, Siamisang denied having had any private dealings with President Masisi.

Before sharing on his extensive career, Siamisang said that the allegations made against him by the UDC are false as he was not hired by President Masisi to transport his cattle.

However, addressing members of the opposition, the Madibelatlhopo spokesperson Mike Keakopa wondered if it is ethical for a man like Siamisang to be given a farm in Banyana Farms next to the President’s farm, then be given a powerful position such as the one he now holds.

Keakopa said they fear that Siamisang will bend IEC rules to favour the ruling party during elections in light of the fact that he is friends with the President. However, Siamisang flatly denied suggestions that he is friends with President Masisi.

“I am not friends with the President, I got the job on merit, there was no favouritism whatsoever, I really don’t know where the opposition is getting these wild accusations from”, Siamisang said.

Siamisang succeeded Keireng Zuze when she retired in 2020.