A former IEC Commissioner and current IEC official was arrested on Friday on allegations of fraud involving R1.2 million.
Dr Nomsa Masuku, 62, who served as Commissioner in 2018 is a former employee of Standard Bank, entrusted with managing the Corporate Social Investment Programme (CSI) "Adopt A School Trust".
National Hawks Spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale says through an intensive probe investigators established that Dr Masuku flaunted the processes of the trust by awarding scholarships to friends and family members through manipulating documents and without the approval of the Committee.
She says it was further established that some of the money was deposited directly into her personal bank account to the tune of R1.2 million.
The "Adopt A School Trust" was established to provide scholarships, bursaries and awards of study, research or reaching to learners from schools adopted by Standard Bank.
Colonel Mogale says to qualify you need to meet certain criteria to further your studies at any recognised institution of higher learning.
Dr Masuku appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday where she was released on bail of R20 000.
The matter was postponed to the 4th of September 2024.
[MEDIA STATEMENT]
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 21, 2024
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 COMMISSIONER 2018
According to the IEC website, Dr Masuku started her career in election management in 1998 and before her appointment, she was the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer responsible for Outreach.
Dr Masuku has a PhD in Applied English Linguistics from the University of Birmingham, UK.
Her career at the IEC took a seven-year hiatus during which she worked at Standard Bank.
