Committee recommends Mashinini for IEC

"The committee recommended Mr Mashinini primarily for his vast experience within the IEC, as well as the experience he has gained in running elections within various countries in the African continent," the committee said in a statement.

 

"The committee is of the view that his vast institutional memory will ensure that he hits the ground running, especially as the commission is preparing for the 2016 local government elections."

 

Mashinini, a special project adviser to President Jacob Zuma, was interviewed along with 13 other candidates in November last year.

 

Mashinini told the interviewing panel, which included Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, that his days of being involved in politics ended after he was an anti-apartheid activist years ago.

 

"I am an adviser to the head of state. My role is professional and non-political," he told the panel then.

 

Mashinini was previously IEC deputy chief electoral officer.

 

The commissioner position at the IEC became vacant following the resignation of chairwoman Pansy Tlakula.

 

Several political parties took Tlakula to court, claiming her integrity had been compromised. This followed an investigation by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela into the procurement of the IEC's Riverside Office Park building in Centurion, Pretoria.
 

 

 

File photo: Gallo Images