Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

AfriForum begins investigation into rotten apple’s appointment to North West Parks and Tourism Board

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (English)

Soundbite: Marais de Vaal (Afrikaans)

The appointment of Morufa Moloto as chief financial officer (CFO) of the North West Parks and Tourism Board, after she was suspended due to alleged irregularities amounting to millions of rands at Madibeng Local Municipality and is currently out on bail due to alleged corruption at another municipality, is, according to AfriForum, a shameless and reckless deployment of corrupt cadres. This appointment confirms that political loyalty is being elevated above competence and is therefore fueling the collapse of service delivery in this province. The civil rights organisation is therefore now launching an investigation to consider the possible legal and oversight remedies to ensure accountability for this appointment.

Moloto, the former CFO of Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality, has been in the Hawks’ sights since 2018 for alleged tender fraud. In the so-called “laptop scandal”, Moloto allegedly awarded a tender for the purchase of eight laptops to her partner, Letladi Ramokora’s company in exchange for bribes. Despite this pending investigation, Moloto was appointed CFO of Madibeng Local Municipality in January 2023 and promoted to acting municipal manager in April 2024. However, Moloto and Ramokora were arrested by the Hawks in June of that year on charges of corruption in the laptop case. Meanwhile, Moloto, as well as Madibeng’s mayor, municipal manager and several other top officials, were suspended in April this year for alleged irregularities in procurement amounting to millions of rands and the misuse of municipal funds. She is still out on bail for corruption.

According to Marais de Vaal, AfriForum’s Advisor for Environmental Affairs Advisor, Moloto’s latest appointment comes at a time when the North West Parks and Tourism Board is already on the brink of collapse. The entity has had six acting CEOs in the space of just six months – none of whom were properly appointed. In the meantime, legal action may be taken against Adv. Matshidiso Mogale, Chairperson of the board, for his repeated evasion of oversight responsibilities.

The board is also facing a serious cash flow crisis and was consequently unable to pay salaries in February and March this year.

The Parks and Tourism Board also received a disclaimed audit opinion from the Auditor-General (AG) on its 2023/24 financial statements, meaning that the AG was unable to confirm the reliability of the board’s figures due to missing or insufficient documentation. At grassroots level, the consequences are obvious: dilapidated parks, closed lodges, a decline in visitors and failed biodiversity management.

“Moloto’s appointment, despite unresolved corruption complaints and a record of financial misconduct, not only violates the constitutional principles of ethical and accountable public administration but also appears to be procedurally illegal if proper vetting was ignored,” says De Vaal.

AfriForum is currently preparing a formal application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain Moloto’s appointment report, candidate scorecard records, selection documentation (including the criminal and misconduct check) and the official council resolution confirming her appointment. If irregularities are found, further legal action will be considered. AfriForum will also demand a public explanation from Bitsa Lenkopane, North West MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.

“Cadre deployment has devastating consequences including broken infrastructure, poor service delivery and neglected communities. AfriForum will continue to expose incompetent appointments, fight for accountability and build resilient communities that are not dependent on a failed state,” concludes De Vaal.