Former IEC Commissioner Arrested for Fraud Involving Student Scholarships

Dr Nomsa Praisy Masuku, a former Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) official and erstwhile Standard Bank employee, found herself in legal trouble as she appeared in the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court at Palm Ridge Magistrates. She faced charges of perpetrating a fraud amounting to R1.2 million.

The arrest of Masuku was carried out by the Hawks‘ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, making it a significant event that caught public attention swiftly. The situation points to alleged misconduct in her role as the Head of the CSI Programme for the ‘Adopt A School Trust‘, an initiative under Standard Bank.

Operating with the mandate to administer bursaries intended for deserving students and schools partaking in the Adopt A School project, Masuku is accused of irregularly awarding scholarships to acquaintances and relatives. This breach of trust has raised serious concerns and prompted a thorough investigation into her actions.

Colonel Katlego Mogale, the Hawks’ spokesperson, shed light on the matter by disclosing that the probe revealed a deliberate flouting of the trust’s prescribed procedures in the distribution of scholarships. Subverting proper channels, Masuku purportedly manipulated documentation to give undue advantages to her close connections, circumventing the essential oversight of the Committee.

Further exacerbating the allegations, it is reported that a substantial portion of the misappropriated funds, totaling R1.2 million, were traced back to Masuku’s personal bank account. This aspect reinforces the seriousness of the accusations leveled against her and underscores the necessity for accountability in handling public resources allocated for educational purposes.

Following her arrest, Masuku was granted bail set at R20,000 and the case was adjourned to September 4, 2024. This legal development marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing investigation, indicating a significant development in the pursuit of justice against financial impropriety.