Top charity MES accused of breaking BEE rules, discriminating against staff and diverting donor funds.
Editor’s note: This article was updated on 15 July 2025 to include MES’s claims of the findings of an independent investigation report.
One of South Africa’s oldest non-profit organisations, Mould Empower Serve (MES), has reinstated its CEO after allegations of racism, corruption, financial misconduct and abuse of power rocked the faith-based charity.
In a detailed anonymous media statement released in May, self-identified MES employees accused suspended CEO Leona Pienaar of “engineering a financial meltdown” in retaliation for her suspension earlier this year.
The employees claimed Pienaar manipulated donor reports, misused funds, spied on staff, and created a racially exclusive management circle.
“The very soul of MES is at stake, and may already be lost,” the statement reads.
Top leadership walks out
Days before the statement was released, the acting chief executive officer (CEO), the chief financial officer (CFO), and the national finance manager resigned.
This followed the exit of the national communications manager, reportedly in protest over the board’s failure to inform donors about Pienaar’s suspension.
The anonymous staff member stated that this allowed her to “spread misinformation” and further erode donor confidence.
In total, six senior executives left the organisation in the space of weeks.
The branch manager in Kempton Park, appointed by Pienaar after a black predecessor was dismissed, also resigned under a cloud, with insiders alleging inconsistent disciplinary action along racial lines.
Claims of financial misconduct
According to the staff statement, Pienaar was accused of falsifying donor reports, issuing invalid section 18A certificates, and diverting programme funds to consultants.
It was alleged that a communication and consulting company terminated its relationship with MES just before investigations began.
“Funds were instead diverted to pay consultants… further clouding accountability,” staff alleged.
There were also claims that Pienaar authorised unlawful surveillance of staff emails and transferred control of the MES Khula Trust to her husband, a former MES CFO, without board transparency.
The Trust has not been activated despite the organisation’s financial crisis.
Speaking to The Citizen, Pienaar confirmed she had been suspended but said she could not comment further.
“According to my suspension agreement, if I get media enquiries, I need to refer them back to the board until after the investigation,” she said.
ALSO READ: Sars official testifies against company linked to blue lights corruption case
Board denies cover-up
In response, speaking to The Citizen on Thursday, MES Board Chairperson Hannes Windell confirmed that the organisation had launched an independent investigation into the allegations.
“The board takes the allegations and threats very seriously,” Windell said.
“The MES CEO has been suspended from her operational duties, with full remuneration, pending the outcome of the investigation.”
The board denied accusations that MES funds were paid to the communication and consulting company, saying the company had “never received any payment” and had only provided pro bono services.
It also said the MES Khula Trust had issued a cash loan to MES “to avoid delaying staff salaries”.
However, the board warned that several statements in the leaked staff document were “severe factual inaccuracies” and that it may consider legal action.
“This accusation of corruption is devoid of any truth […] It is not only harmful but also slanderous,” the chairperson said.
ALSO READ: NPA lacking in lottery probe
‘Humanitarian disaster’
Staff say the organisation, which provides support services to homeless people, children and struggling families, is now paralysed.
With no CEO, CFO, finance manager, communications head or fundraising executive, operations have all but ground to a halt.
Delayed salaries and donor withdrawals are pushing the 37-year-old organisation towards financial ruin.
“This is no longer just a leadership crisis. It’s a humanitarian disaster,” said the anonymous statement.
Internal investigation
In a statement on 14 July, MES said its CEO and other implicated parties have been absolved of the
allegations, “apart from one matter regarding the recruitment and appointment of a branch
administrator”.
“The outstanding matter will be investigated further, and based on the outcome, the board will act appropriately against all those involved, including the CEO,” it said.
The board added that Pienaar had resumed her duties as CEO as of 11 July 2025.
MES would not share the details of the investigation with The Citizen.
NOW READ: More than 200 000 will experience Sassa grant delays — here’s why
