Why I hoped protector was wrong on IEC

THERE were no surprises in the public protector’s Nkandla report. We have known for close to two years that the president has lived large — at our expense.

President Jacob Zuma’s die-hard supporters would have us believe that Thuli Madonsela’s report ended and began with her pronouncement that the president did not “wilfully mislead parliament”, while conveniently ignoring the many other adverse and stomach-churning findings that ultimately confirm that our president does not care where the money comes from, as long as he benefits.

His conscience did not counsel him to ensure and insist that those who signed off on the “security” upgrades did so with due consideration for the law and the public’s money.

The report has hogged the spotlight. But there is a report that did cause some surprise and heartache, at least for me. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairwoman Pansy Tlakula must be relieved there is a bigger scandal.

This week, the Treasury released its report, compiled by PwC, into the awarding of a R320-million lease contract to a company owned by Tlakula’s friend and business associate, Thaba Mufamadi.

The findings affirmed Madonsela’s report on the matter and exonerated her from accusations by Tlakula that her investigation was flawed. Basically, the PwC report states that the procurement process was in breach of the Public Finance Management Act and Treasury regulations. Abland, the company partly owned by Mufamadi, a formidable ANC MP, was favoured at the expense of other bidders. There are other transgressions too numerous to mention.

When the public protector released her report, I was confident she had made an honest mistake. Why? Because this was Tlakula we were talking about — the charming, warm, unassuming, hard-working, supremely smart woman who, along with another impressive woman, her predecessor, Brigalia Bam, ran the IEC so superbly and made us excited about voting.

When the witty and sagacious Bam gave press conferences at the IEC centre at election time, no one had any doubt that the organisation was running like a well-oiled machine.

This year, there will be none of that. Tlakula decided not to participate in the Treasury investigation, citing a possible court battle with Madonsela. She also says she “has not had a chance to read” the PwC report and “even if I finish reading it I am not sure if I will say anything”.

It is very disappointing for a professional who was always willing to talk. After Madonsela released her report, Tlakula was all over the media, using every platform to discredit her work. Now she is not available.

Not talking does not make this go away. When Tlakula takes her place behind the IEC banners in May, it will not be her progress report on the elections that the nation will be listening to. Our questions about her probity will muffle her speeches and commentary about the polls.

I have never seen her read from a prepared speech. She has always spoken from heart and brain. But this year, her every word will be swallowed

After Madonsela released her report, Tlakula was all over the media

by the ominous clouds hovering above her.

I do not know Mufamadi well, but on the few occasions I have interacted with him, I have found him to be an intelligent, committed civil servant who was once exonerated of misconduct allegations by parliament’s joint ethics and members’ interests committee, in a separate matter.

This is why the IEC report is so profoundly disappointing. It mentions people from whom much is expected.

Terry Tselane, Tlakula’s IEC deputy, came on the radio to respond to the report. He assured the nation that the findings have no bearing on the IEC’s ability to deliver a free and fair election, but he was clearly embarrassed. He conceded that the IEC could not afford this type of scandal. Neither can our democracy.

I so wanted Madonsela to be wrong on this one. Comment on this: write to tellus@sundaytimes.co.za or SMS us at 33971 www.timeslive.co.za