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Picture courtesy: (Sunday World) The Hawks confirmed the arrest of IEC commissioner, Dr. Nomsa Masuku, for allegedly defrauding a trust fund meant to help underprivileged students.
(The Post News)- IEC commissioner and former Standard Bank employee, Dr. Nomsa Praisy Masuku, was arrested by the Hawks on Friday morning on suspicion of a R1.2 million fraud intended for student scholarships and bursaries.
Masuku, a prominent figure within South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), appeared before the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court. Her appearance followed her arrest earlier today, June 21, by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit.
Masuku was charged with fraud of R1.2 million relating to her previous job at Standard Bank.
Masuku, 62, was head of Adopt A School Trust, the bank’s corporate social investment programme (CSI), which aims to provide scholarships, bursaries, research, and teaching to learners from schools adopted by Standard Bank.
The initiative was established to enable learners who meet the requirements and selection criteria to continue their studies at accredited universities.
Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale stated that after an extensive investigation, it was found that Masuku allegedly violated trust procedures by awarding scholarships to friends and family members without approval from the trust.
According to the SCCI investigation, Masuku falsified documents and bypassed trust procedures, leading to fraudulent withdrawals amounting to R1.2 million.
It is alleged that some funds intended for the scholarships were deposited into her personal bank account.
“Some of the monies were deposited directly into her personal bank account to the tune of R1.2 million,” Mogale said.
The court granted Masuku bail of R20,000, and the case was postponed to September 4, 2024.
Masuku was active during the elections, often leading press conferences at the National Results Operation Centre in Midrand.
Before joining IEC, Masuku had a successful career at Standard Bank, where she was responsible for leading the bank’s CSI initiative.
A key part of her portfolio was ‘Adopt a School Trust, which aimed to provide better educational opportunities for disadvantaged students.
Masuku was appointed IEC commissioner in 2018.
According to her profile on the IEC website, she began her career in electoral administration in 1998.
She developed the Commission’s strategy and implementation framework for the development of democracy.
Her work includes providing and promoting civic, electoral, and voter education.
According to the IEC, she took a seven-year hiatus from the commission to work for Standard Bank’s CSI programme. During this time, she utilised her skills to develop and implement strategies for the bank’s community development initiatives.
She has also worked with women’s groups such as Women and the Law in Southern Africa, the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse, and many civil society groups focusing on conflict mediation, youth, and women.
The IEC has yet to make an official statement about Masuku’s arrest and her future with the commission.
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