Dr Nomsa Praisy Masuku, a commissioner at the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), was recently arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit.
Masuku, 62, was taken into custody on Friday morning, facing charges of fraud related to her time as head of Standard Bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme for the Adopt a School Trust.
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According to Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale, Dr Masuku allegedly manipulated the processes of the Adopt a School Trust by awarding scholarships to friends and family members.
The allegations include manipulation of documents and direct deposits of trust funds into her personal bank account, amounting to R1.2 million. This intensive investigation has led to her appearance at the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where she was granted bail of R20,000.
Dr. Masuku began her career in election management in 1998 and was appointed as an IEC commissioner in 2018.
During her tenure, she developed the commission’s strategy and implementation framework for education for democracy development.
Her work involved promoting civic, balloting, and voter education. She took a seven-year hiatus from the IEC to work for Standard Bank’s CSI programme, aiming to facilitate community development.
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Dr Masuku holds a PhD in Applied English Linguistics from the University of Birmingham, UK. She has contributed to South Africa’s national curriculum statement and worked with various women’s groups, including Women and the Law in Southern Africa and the Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse.
Her contributions have spanned conflict mediation, youth, and women-focused civil society groupings.
The case against Dr. Masuku has been postponed to September 4. As the legal proceedings unfold, the impact of these allegations on her career and contributions will be closely observed.
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