24 Oct 2022

The office of the District Commissioner will investigate allegations of funds embezzlement among community trusts.

There are allegations of some community trust members conniving with public officers to loot funds for personal gain.

Responding to concerns raised by residents concerning misappropriation of funds during a kgotla meeting in Mababe on Friday, North West district commissioner, Mr Thabang Waloka said all those implicated would account.

“These are public funds which need to be managed prudently and distributed equally to benefit members of the community, the investor and not just a few,” stated Mr Waloka.

Mr Waloka stated that it was disturbing to learn that some trusts were making profit that did not benefit all fairly, adding that his office was committed to assisting  communities run the entities appropriately.

He said trusts should manage the affairs on behalf of members and not for individual benefit. Mr Waloka said the board should convene meetings and present financial reports to general  embership.

He also implored communities to support the trusts and suggest ways of operating trusts better.

A village elder, Mr Polelo Tebalo had earlier complained about maladministration and lack of cooperation between the trust and community, alleging that some board members disregarded their calls for prudent use of funds.

He said they were never taken on board to appreciate how the money raised by the trust was expended.

Last year, the trust generated P5.3 million and this year it raised over P4 million, said Mr Tebalo.

Mr Tebalo said the trust account was reported to have a zero balance and they demanded an audit report. “We request your good office to help us push the trust to present the audit report so that we appreciate how our assets are used,” stated Mr Tebalo. Another elder, Mr Idea Newa also complained about lack of transparency on how money was being handled.

He said the board worked in isolation and that villagers were divided. Mr Newa alleged that some board members engaged in private meetings with investors and public officers and never reported back to the community.

Mababe Zokotsama Development Community Trust chairperson, Ms Bofeletse Ruthano told BOPA that she was elected to office in April and that they were aware of the allegations of maladministration which she said were not true.

She said a meeting would be convened soon to present a report on funds generated this year and further stated that an audit report was presented during a recent annual general meeting accounting for funds generated last year.

Ms Ruthano refuted allegations of secret meetings with potential investors, adding that the Technical Advisory Committee advised them not to sign lease agreements without consulting the community. She also decried lack of support from the community. ENDs