Johannesburg – Political parties in Parliament must stop commenting on IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula, who was found guilty of improper conduct and maladministration by the public protector, ANC chief whip Stone Sizane said on Wednesday.

“It makes a mockery of parliamentary processes and undermines the institutional role,” he said.

“Parliament recommends the appointment of the Independent Electoral Commission chairpersons. It is therefore irresponsible for parliamentary parties to make public judgements… on a matter that they would still deliberate on [in parliamentary committees] and take a decision [as part of National Assembly].”

Sizane said political parties should not “prejudge” the matter.

Irregular conduct

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Monday recommended that National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu consider taking action against Tlakula after it was found she had played a “grossly irregular” role in the procurement of the Riverside Office Park building in Centurion for the IEC’s headquarters.

Madonsela’s report also revealed there was a conflict of interest between Tlakula and a company co-director, with whom she was accused of being romantically involved.

The co-director, Thaba Mufamadi, is Parliament’s finance portfolio committee chairperson. He also owns a 20% stake in Abland, which was awarded the contract to lease the office park premises.

“In line with parliamentary procedure on matters such as this, the speaker would refer the report… to the relevant parliamentary structure, which will apply its mind and then make recommendations for consideration by the House,” said Sizane.

“The House is the final arbiter on this matter… We call upon all parliamentary political parties to respect this process.”

SAPA