06 Jul 2021

There are currently no plans to detach the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) from the Office of the President.

Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Dumizweni Mthimkhulu said this when responding to a parliamentary question Monday.

Mr Mthimkhulu said such was an administrative arrangement with no bearing on the institution’s operational independence. 

He said IEC responsibilities were set out under Section 65A of the Constitution and did not include appointment of staff, which to the exclusion of the Secretary, lay with the Directorate of Public Service Management (DPSM) in terms of Section 16 of the Public Service Act. 

He said government had approved the drafting of the IEC Bill through Presidential Directive CAB 19(B)/2009, which aimed to enhance the independence of the Commission. 

Bobonong legislator, Mr Taolo Lucas had wanted to know if there were plans to detach the IEC from the Office of the President and make it an independent entity. 

Mr Lucas had also wanted to know if the minister did not find it improper for the DPSM to appoint IEC officers. ENDS