By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Dr Nomsa Masuku, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Commissioner, has been arrested for corruption amounting to R1,2 million relating to her time as an employee of Standard Bank.
Masuku, 62, was entrusted with managing the Standard Bank 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.
Mogale 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.
Mogale added that 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.
Meanwhile, the Independent Electroral Commission (IEC) confirmed that it will be monitoring developments of the case.
“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 does not relate to her tenure in the Commission both as an employee and commissioner,” the IEC stated.
Dr Masuku started her career in election management in 1998 and before her appointment, she was the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer responsible for Outreach. She has a PhD in Applied English Linguistics from the University of Birmingham, UK.