The Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) wishes to correct some misinformation being presented regarding allegations of corruption taking place within the organisation.
"For the record I want to emphasise that PanSALB is one of the few organisations that have managed to get an unqualified audit from the South African Auditor-General for the past two years. It’s very saddening to now hear accusations that the organisation is corrupt,” said Dr Elias Malete, Chairperson of the Board.
The misinformation came about after the organisation was asked to appear before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Arts and Culture on Wednesday, 15 June 2011, to make a presentation on “governance and operational issues”.
Unfortunately, PanSALB did not get a chance to make its presentation because the committee was of the view that its presentation was not addressing issues like allegations about suspected corruption which were made by a dismissed employee.
Dr Malete explains, “The allegations are not new and the Board had previously briefed the committee on the matter. The Board had hired PricewaterhouseCoopers to investigate the allegations, including the claim that the Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr Chris Swepu, had faked his qualifications. All these allegations were false, spread by a former employee who was bent on destroying the reputation of the Board.
"We presented the findings of the audit to the Portfolio Committee while Dr Tshenuwani Farisani was still the Chairperson. It took us by surprise to learn that the committee is still interested in pursuing this matter further. Had we been asked to include this matter in our presentation we would have done so but unfortunately the request from the committee did not specifically mentioned it,” added Dr Malete.
He further stated that the Board stood firmly behind the leadership of its acting CEO, Mr Chris Swepu and his team. “They have been transparent with the Board on all matters and have taken us to greater heights,” he said.
In its management report for the year ending 31 March 2010 the South African Auditor-General raised an opinion that the increase in the grant that PanSALB received for the next three years is not in line with inflation rates and general increases of goods and service. Therefore, PanSALB might have a going concern problem in the near future. The Board did alert Parliament to this situation as early as 2009.
It is disheartening to report that the organisation is now on its knees financially and this is having undesirable results – the suspension of all projects and programmes for the current financial year and high staff turnover. According to Dr Malete, this is the real issue that is affecting the performance of the organisation and not corruption as reported. He also confirmed that the Board has written to President Zuma requesting urgent intervention.
“We wish that Parliament would start listening to us and take these issues we are tabling before them seriously. It is saddening to say the least that such an opportunity is given to a trumped-up story made by a discredited source,” concluded Dr Malete.
NB: Forensic report available on request
Enquiries:
Sibusiso Nkosi
Tel: 012 341 9638
Cell: 082 855 4436
Setting the record straight on alleged corruption
