IEC monitoring developments after the arrest of one of its commissioners
Masuku made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday and was released on twenty thousand rand bail.
IEC commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku ahead of the results of the 2024 elections at Gallagher Convention Centre, Midrand, Johannesburg, on 2 June 2024. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) said it is monitoring the developments regarding the arrest of one of its commissioners, Nomsa Masuku, allegedly for corruption.
Masuku’s case relates to her time as a Standard Bank employee between 2006 and 2013.
It is alleged as head of the bank’s corporate social investment unit, Masuku improperly directed scholarships to her friends and families while receiving kickbacks amounting to R1.2 million.
Masuku made a brief appearance in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday and was released on R20,000 bail.
In a short statement, the IEC said that Masuku’s charges do not relate to her tenure as an employee and commissioner.
According to the IEC’s website, Masuku worked at the commission in 1998 where she developed the election company’s strategy and implementation framework for education and democracy development.
Between 2006 and 2013, Masuku went into the private sector, working at Standard Bank as the head of corporate social investment.
It is during this time when she allegedly committed the corrupt acts she is accused of.
In 2018, Masuku was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa to serve as an IEC Commissioner.
During her time as Commissioner, Masuku has overseen three elections, the 2019 and 2024 general elections and the 2021 local government elections.
STATE ON HUNT FOR BUSINESSMAN WHO ALLEGEDLY ASSISTED MASUKU
The State is hunting for businessman Mark Phillip Roux, who allegedly assisted Masuku with money laundering.
It's alleged that while working at Standard Bank’s corporate social investment unit, Masuku directed about R800,000 to a company owned by Roux.
The provisional charge sheet for Masuku said between December 2012 and March 2013, she transferred R300,000 and R500,000 respectively to Silver Arrow Management Solutions without authority.
The company's sole director is Roux, who has a warrant for his arrest.
“The case was postponed to September the 4th, 2024, for the State to trace the outstanding suspect,” said Gauteng National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane.