Concern Over Parliament’s Endorsement of Compromised IEC Candidates

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes with deep concern the decision by Parliament to adopt the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs’ report on the filling of vacancies in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

This decision, driven by the ANC and its GNU partners, the DA and the IFP, disregards the findings and recommendations of the panel chaired by Chief Justice Mandisa Maya, which raised serious concerns about the competence, temperament, and suitability of Mr. Mosotho Moepya and Judge Pillay to serve in the IEC.

Despite the Chief Justice’s report identifying serious shortcomings in these candidates, Parliament has chosen to endorse them. This demonstrates the true agenda of the Government of National Unity, to capture and control the IEC as part of a broader plan to manipulate the outcome of the 2026 national elections.

The panel chaired by the Chief Justice raised specific concerns about Mr. Moepya, stating that he appeared defensive, unwilling to acknowledge weaknesses within the IEC, and dismissive of suggestions to improve the Commission’s systems. The panel further observed that he lacked the necessary soft skills of empathy and sensitivity required of a leader, and that he failed to present any credible ideas on how to address institutional weaknesses, including the growing voter apathy in the country.

On Judge Pillay, the panel found her to be defensive and reluctant to acknowledge the challenges the IEC faced during her tenure, and further expressed dissatisfaction with her views on diversity and voter participation.

The EFF is deeply disturbed that, despite these findings, the ANC and its GNU partners chose to appoint individuals the Chief Justice’s panel did not consider the most suitable. They ignored highly competent and recommended candidates such as Mr. Abrahams, opting instead for individuals whose performance and leadership have already raised questions about the IEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections.

The EFF has never contested the outcome of any election, but we have consistently raised legitimate concerns about the IEC’s glaring operational failures. These include dysfunctional voter management devices, the Commission’s inability to register more voters, and persistent discrepancies in the capturing of results, where votes are often swapped to the benefit of the ANC and the DA.

Our own post-election audits have revealed numerous cases of EFF votes being wrongly captured by the IEC across the country, while the ANC and DA were allocated more votes than they received. When we raise these discrepancies, the IEC responds with arrogance and dismissal. If these issues are not addressed, they have the potential to plunge the country into post-election instability and permanently damage our democracy.

We have never remained silent when the ANC deployed questionable individuals to lead the IEC, from Mashinini, Tlakula, and Janet Love, to now Mr. Moepya and Judge Pillay. This pattern of deployment is part of a deliberate strategy by the ruling elite to weaken the independence of the IEC and manipulate electoral outcomes.

Parliament’s decision to overlook the Chief Justice’s report confirms that the GNU’s so-called unity is not about protecting democracy, but about preserving political power through the capture of independent institutions. It is a unity in corruption and control, not in principle or integrity.

The National Assembly has once again second guessed the outcomes of statutory bodies as it did with the Public Protector Report on Nkandla, and most recently, with the Independent Panel led by former Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo and its recommendations regarding the Phala Phala matter.

It is a cause for concern that the National Assembly is relapsing to its infamous constitutional delinquency which characterised the Fifth Administration, and utilising majoritarianism to undermine the integrity of institutions of democracy.

The EFF will consider any recourse available to reverse this irrational majoritarian resolution of the National Assembly which threatens our electoral system.

The EFF rejects the adoption of this report and the appointment of compromised individuals to the IEC. We call upon all South Africans to remain vigilant against the systematic capture of democratic institutions by the ANC and its GNU partners. We will continue to defend the independence of the IEC and fight for free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the true will of the people.

The EFF was established as a response to perceived failures in the ANC regarding economic transformation.

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