Mohale FM THE Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) planned team-building trip to Durban, South Africa, for its 188 staffers has drawn sharp criticism from the Minister of Law and Justice, Richard Ramoeletsi.
Mr Ramoeletsi described the week-long excursion from 2 to 7 March 2026 as a “wasteful expenditure” that strains the government’s already limited finances. He questioned the source of funding for the trip, arguing that the money should instead be used for essential government activities rather than “swimming at the beaches”.
Mr Ramoeletsi criticised the planned trip as wasteful, arguing that the government cannot afford such expenditure. He added that the IEC had claimed that its staff had been traumatised by the former Director of Elections, Advocate Mpaiphele Maqutu’s ill-treatment, and the Durban trip was intended to help boost staff morale. Adv Maqutu resigned from his position earlier this month with immediate effect. He further questioned why the IEC cannot hold team-building exercises locally instead of travelling to Durban
IEC Chairperson, Reverend Dr John Maphephe, nonetheless defended the upcoming staff retreat to Durban, saying the program was already budgeted by the previous IEC administration and deemed necessary to boost staff morale.
Dr Maphephe, who was inducted as chairperson earlier this month alongside commissioners Pontšo Mamatlere Matete and Dr Chelete Monyane for a five-year term, said the retreat aimed to address a demoralized and divided workforce.
