Pansy Tlakula, Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission, announces her resignation

On 2 September 2014, Advocate Pansy Tlakula announced her resignation as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). She submitted her letter of resignation to President Jacob Zuma. She was appointed the IEC’s Chairperson in 2001. In August 2013, Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, found that Tlakula had flouted procurement regulations in securing a R320-million lease for the IEC’s head office in Centurion, Pretoria, and had an “unmanaged conflict of interest” as a result of a separate and undisclosed business relationship with business associate, Thaba Mufamadi. A forensic investigation by the National Treasury made similar findings. It found that Tlakula had not given guidance or formally informed various people what was expected of them in the process. Leading to the 2014 national and provincial elections, Tlakula came under attack from political parties with many of them calling for her resignation. She was taken to court by some opposition parties such as the United Democratic Movement (UDM), the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), Congress of the People (COPE), Agang SA, and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The parties argued that her integrity had been compromised and wanted Tlakula removed ahead of the 2014 elections. On 18 June 2014, Electoral Court judge, Lotter Wepener, found that Tlakula’s misconduct as then-Chief Executive of the IEC warranted her removal from office as a Commissioner after the court was approached by a number of small parties. Her battle to stay in her reached an end in August 2014, when the Constitutional Court dismissed her application to appeal the Electoral Court’s judgment, but with no explanation as to why. Tlakula tried to clear her name through the courts, but it was complicated due to the fact that the IEC is one of the chapter nine institutions supporting democracy and is subject to protection by the Constitution.