In 2013, the Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, found that Tlakula had been guilty of maladministration, had violated procurement regulations, and had failed to disclose a conflict of interest arising from her relationship with Thaba Mufamadi, who was a part-owner of Abland with ANC MP Thaba Mufamadi, the property developer behind the R320-million lease.

[3] Beyond the undisclosed conflict of interest, the investigation further found that Tlakula was highly involved in the initiation, evaluation and adjudication of the bids for the procurement of the building, in contravention of a number of statutes.

[5] A subsequent report commissioned by the National Treasury made similar findings indicating that the procurement process was not fair, transparent, or cost-effective.

[3] Though the matter was postponed until after the elections, on 18 June the court found against Tlakula, recommending her removal on the basis that her misconduct had undermined the Commission's integrity.

[10][11] This followed the earlier resignation of Electoral Commission of South Africa head of corporate services, Norman du Plessis, who was likewise found guilty of misconduct at the direction of Tlakula in the Public Protector's investigation.