IEC commissioner charged with fraud of R1.2 million

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Senior Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) official Nomsa Masuku has been charged with fraud of R1.2 million for bursary scheme.

Masuku, 62, who is a deputy chairperson at the commission appeared in the Johannesburg specialised commercial crime court sitting in Palm Ridge on charges of theft, fraud and money laundering.

This follows her arrest on Friday morning by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI).

Hawks’ spokesperson Katlego Mogale said alleged offences were committed during her tenure as head of Standard Bank’s social corporate investments programme.

https://youtu.be/isKOiAaqrg0

“Through an intensive probe, the Hawks investigators established that the incumbent flaunted the processes of the trust by awarding scholarships to friends and family members.

“This was through manipulation of documents and without the approval of the Committee with some of the monies deposited directly into her personal bank account to the tune of R1.2 million,” she remarked.

The accused allegedly transferred a sum of R800,000 to a second individual implicated in the case.

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Speaking to the SABC News after Masuku’s court appearance, Mogale said the Hawks were alerted in 2022 after Standard Bank conducted an internal investigation and found discrepancies.

Masuku was granted R20 000 fixed bail and the case was postponed to September 4.

Meanwhile, the electoral commission issued a brief statement reacting to Masuku’s arrest and stated that it will monitor developments in the matter.

[MEDIA STATEMENT]

Electoral Commission responds to the matter of the reported arrest of Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku.

The Electoral Commission is aware of the reported arrest of Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku. It appears that the matter relates to her erstwhile employment and… pic.twitter.com/qUIuq1Se9h

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 21, 2024