MIND accuses IEC of bias over council seat
A TINY Grahamstown political party has accused the Independent Electoral Commission of ANC bias after they allegedly failed to convince the Makana municipality to comply with government legislation and declare a council vacancy.
Makana Independent New Deal (MIND) leader Jock McConnachie confirmed yesterday they had written to the Public Protector’s office complaining they had been forced to de-register and shut up shop after the IEC failed to intervene in a lengthy dispute with lone councillor Devon Waldick.
The maverick MIND councillor refused to give up his proportional representation seat for several months following his expulsion from the party in November last year.
He was still paid his benefits despite the dispute.
In a letter to George Mawethu Maxakato of the Public Protector’s office, McConnachie complained that former acting municipal manager Thembinkosi Myalato had damaged MIND by failing to act timeously in the dispute as laid out in the Municipal Structures Act.
According to McConnachie legislation which is supposed to protect the interests of political parties, even a “tiny” local one such as MIND – had not been followed and the vacant council position had not even been advertised.
“When they expel public representatives, as the ANC has done in the Eastern Cape recently, vacancies are quickly declared and the IEC appoints replacements from the relevant party list.” McConnachie said the failure of the IEC to act raised concerns it could be “a deliberate attempt to snuff out emerging groupings of independents like MIND”.
He said the allegations of IEC “bias and unequal treatment” were serious and should be treated as such.
Correspondence between George Maxakato of the Public Protector’s office and McConnachie over more than a month seemingly confirm that they are investigating the allegations and expect to make a decision soon.
The Daily Dispatch has not managed to get comment from spokesman Kgalelo Masibi despite several attempts since last month.
The complaint says the IEC did not take necessary steps to ensure compliance by Myalato resulting in MIND’s dissolution and de-registration.
He said the IEC did not take the necessary steps against Myalato to ensure compliance with legislation despite being requested to do so on several occasions by MIND.
He said the party had dissolved as a last resort when it became apparent the vacancy would not be declared.
After several unsuccessful attempts to get IEC comment, chief communication officer Kate Bapela said in a statement they welcomed the Public Protector’s investigation – which she said had come after extensive unsuccessful engagements with MIND.
“For now, we think that the matter must be accorded the due attention it deserves from the Public Protector,” Bapela said. —