President Jacob Zuma on Friday appointed Janet Love as a member of the Electoral Commission‚ filling the position left vacant after the resignation of Raenette Taljaard more than a year ago.
“The Electoral Commission consists of five members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Assembly‚” the Presidency said in statement.
“President Zuma wishes Ms Love all the best in her new responsibility.”
Taljaard’s resignation in February 2015 made news as it came in the same week that Parliament moved to fill a vacancy stemming from the controversial exit of former chairwoman Pansy Tlakula.
Vuma Mashinini‚ a special advisor to Zuma‚ was named as replacement for Tlakula‚ who left after becoming embroiled in a questionable lease deal.
Love’s appointment is likely to ruffle some political feathers as in 2010 she became embroiled in a war of word with Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.
Zille attacked Love’s history as a former member of the African National Congress’ national executive committee when she was appointed to the South African Human Rights Commission‚ saying it amounted to cadre deployment.
