IEC gets printers back
2003-07-16 16:17
Pretoria - Specialised printers - seized from the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) after a court order - were returned to the body on Wednesday, the IEC said.
Acting chief electoral officer Mosotho Moepya said this was done under an agreement with the supplier, Graficomp CC.
The deal was made pending the outcome of an IEC application for leave to appeal against a summary judgment by Pretoria High Court Judge Anne-Marie de Vos on Monday, following an urgent application by Graficomp, a Randburg IT firm.
This compelled the IEC to give the equipment back to Graficomp or pay about R700 000.
Graficomp sued the IEC after a go-between black empowerment firm, Abambo, made off with the cash.
The IEC contended it had settled its account with Abambo, and was now the lawful owner of the equipment.
Moepya said the printers were removed on Monday.
Earlier, he reportedly said in papers before the court that the equipment was needed for the daily activities of the IEC. It was being used around the clock to print delimitation maps in preparation for next year's general elections.
Losing the printers would be "a national disaster" that could have a ripple effect on the general elections, Moepya reportedly stated.
In a statement on Wednesday, he said: "The IEC has taken all the necessary precautions to ensure that this incident does not materially affect preparations for election 2004."
- SAPA