Exodus at IEC amid move to put ‘Zuma man’ in charge
THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has been hit by yet another high-profile resignation, in the week that parliament moved to fill a vacancy stemming from the controversial exit of former chairwoman Pansy Tlakula.
The office of President Jacob Zuma made a surprise announcement on Friday that Raenette Taljaard had resigned from her position as an IEC commissioner.
The announcement came just three days after the National Assembly’s home affairs portfolio committee, which oversees the affairs of the IEC, recommended on Tuesday that Vuma Mashinini should fill the vacancy left by Tlakula.
Mashinini has acted as special adviser on infrastructure projects to Zuma and speculation is that he could be selected by the president to replace Tlakula because of his proximity to Zuma.
Mashinini’s selection has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which see it as a ploy to have commissioners sympathetic to the ANC dominating the electoral commission.
Before becoming Zuma’s adviser, Mashinini worked as a senior executive at the IEC. He also has previous business links with Tlakula and ANC MP Thaba Mufamadi.
Zuma, as head of state, has the final say on who gets appointed IEC chairman.
But Taljaard said she had re- signed on Friday last week — and that her resignation therefore predated Mashinini’s appointment and could not have been influenced by it.
The Presidency did not disclose Taljaard’s reasons for resigning from the IEC, choosing only to express its gratitude for her service to the commission.
Sources close to the appointment process have previously told the Sunday Times that Taljaard and several IEC commissioners expressed unease as early as last year about the possibility of Mashinini becoming an IEC commissioner.
But Taljaard, a former DA MP during Tony Leon’s tenure, on Friday night insisted that her stepping down from the commission had nothing to do with parliament’s decision to endorse Mashinini for appointment.
She said she resigned from the commission to give herself adequate time to complete her PhD studies.
“I’m simply moving forward and I’m actually pursuing my PhD full time now, which is something I did not have the opportunity to do before, so it’s pretty simple and pretty straightforward,” said Taljaard.
“I’ve been involved in South African politics for 18 years, that’s a very long time.
“That’s the reason and that’s it. And any effort to link the two events of Friday and Tuesday simply doesn’t make any chronological sense, so people would do so at their own peril,” she said.
The IEC has lauded Taljaard for her contribution to its work, saying she had helped “deepen electoral democracy” locally and internationally.
“As a part-time commissioner, Ms Taljaard always prioritised the work of the Electoral Commission and provided strong leadership, unquestionable integrity and strategic insight. Her impact and input will be sorely missed at all levels of the organisation,” the IEC said in a statement on Friday night. NO LINK: Raenette Taljaard, above, has resigned as an IEC commissioner. It is speculated that Vuma Mashinini, below, may be appointed IEC chairman
I’ve been involved in SA politics for 18 years, that’s a very long time