Dear Editor
Last year, I laid a Public Protector complaint against now suspended National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) CEO, Azola Mayekiso, following numerous complaints including:
- An irregular lease agreement of R15m,
- The appointment of unqualified board members,
- Misuse of the Company’s credit card,
- Failure to disclose conflicts of interests in important business deals.
In June, the Public Protector confirmed an investigation has begun, and today, the Company’s staff were informed of the CEO’s precautionary suspension, as a result of this probe.
While millions of South Africans live without the dignity of housing, it is appalling that state officials use government resources as feeding troughs.
As an entity reporting to her, the DA calls on Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane, to address this reckless misuse of public resources. This is as her Department, allocated R32bn annually, is woefully behind its targets of building state-subsidy and affording housing. The buck stops with her, and should the entity continue to destabilise, the buck will stop with her.
The DA will maintain a close watch on this matter.
Regards
Luyolo Mphithi MP
DA Spokesperson on Human Settlements
What is Fraud? “Fraud” is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain. Fraud becomes a crime when it is a “knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment” (Black’s Law Dictionary). In other words, if you lie in order to deprive a person or organization of their money or property, you’re committing fraud.