Board of community centre accused of corruption
Centre manager says everything is run by the book
Fed-up community members claim there’s no love any more at Ikhaya Lothando Community Centre. Furthermore, the community accused the centre’s current board members of corruption and dirty tactics.
These shocking claims came to light during the centre’s annual general meeting (AGM) held in Kopanong Section on Saturday.
The irate community forced the centre to call off this AGM, which was also to be used as a platform to nominate new board members.
During official proceedings, the community demanded the current board vacate office with immediate effect.
“Firstly, this board was not elected by us, the community. It was imposed on us and it doesn’t represent the true reflection of the people of Tembisa. It is currently made up of people not from Tembisa and they surely can never put our interests first. The reason we are saying this board is corrupt is because under their watch, equipment belonging to the centre, such as stove worth over R100 000 and a big backup generator, went missing. Before this board, we have never had any burglaries and this was a centre for all Tembisans,” said Humphry Mabuse, a community member.
“To our understanding, this centre belongs to the community and decisions taken about it must be seen to be benefiting and uplifting the community.
“But as things stand, this board has kicked out local women who were running a small bakery business to put food on the table. They also chased away local children who were using this centre to practise choral music just to keep themselves busy. Now these children are out on the streets, smoking drugs and engaging in criminal activities because they don’t have anything to do anymore,” said another community member, Eunice Matsie.
The community also accused the board of using dirty tactics to evict some of the centre’s tenants.
“This board sourced the services of lawyers to evict tenants here, when they should have used that money to hire security personnel to protect the children and equipment,” argued Matsie.
Vusi Mashilo, one of the tenants who was evicted, said the board is biased and is only there to serve themselves and not the community.
“They used everything in their power, including hiring lawyers, just to kick me out,” said Mashilo.
The board’s chairperson, Past Hector Bokgopane, told the community they inherited a bankrupt institution, which also had debt of over R200 000 and, therefore, needed to come up with plans to make money and keep the centre running.
“We need money to run the centre and pay for services,” he said. “And those who are claiming to know who stole equipment must come forward with evidence and I will be happy to go and open criminal charges,” continued Bokgopane.
Asked for comment, the centre manager, Penelope Letsoalo, refuted claims of corruption and maladministration, arguing that everything is done by the book.
“We have records to prove everything is done accordingly. I strongly suspect the people behind all these allegations and break-ins are the very people who used to work here and are now angry because they are no longer part of the centre,” she said.
