In light of the “Breaking News: Funds ’embezzled’ at Shepstone Place” article published two weeks ago, a former committee member has come forward to speak out. It has been alleged that irregular transactions that point to fraud have surfaced in the finances of the Shepstone Place Home for the Aged in Lorne Street.
READ THE STORY HERE: Former Shepstone Place administrator accused of fraud
Former committee member Ian Armstrong wants the home’s chairperson, Sheryl Lane, to also take responsibility.
“This happened under her leadership,” he said.
The former administrator, Debbie Potgieter, is suspected of the alleged fraud, which is being investigated by Estcourt detectives.
Mr Armstrong said he was part of the committee last year and left by the end of the year, saying a lot of “unusual things happened”.
“I asked to see the books and I feel this is a reasonable request from a member of the committee, but I was denied access by both Mrs Lane and Mrs Potgieter, not stating why,” explained Mr Armstrong.
“I wanted to understand how things were run; I thought the committee would have oversight over these kinds of things,” he added, saying that he later discovered he was not allowed to view the rent or salaries.
Mr Armstrong strongly believes that the committee has the right heart to serve, but has very little authority and oversight.
“At meetings, we addressed unimportant things like how many people were in the home, how many employees there are and when the next flower show was going to be,” he told.
According to Mr Armstrong, the important aspects were not discussed at meetings.
NOW READ: Local upset about alleged fraud at Shepstone Place
“Mrs Lane has failed to do her job and there are inactive members on the committee. She is withholding information from the committee. How did she not know what was happening under her nose? She must resign and take responsibility. A new chairperson needs to be elected,” he added firmly.
In response, Mrs Lane grew audibly upset, saying that she would not have her integrity questioned by Mr Armstrong.
“Yes, I denied him access to our financial records because we cannot be showing it to everyone. At the time in question, Mr Armstrong was not an official committee member and therefore he was not in a position to view this. At every financial annual general meeting, everyone in attendance was allowed to view the records but not take them away, as it was our only copy,” recalled Mrs Lane.
Mrs Lane wants Mr Armstrong to put his money where his mouth is.
“I want to know what information I have withheld. I did not know anything; everything I did know the committee knew. I was not made chairperson to do such work – for that, an administrator was employed, as well as auditors,” told Mrs Lane.
“I don’t mind resigning, but who will take over?” she questioned.
Mrs Lane previously asked for a new chairperson at the time her late husband, Mr Lane, was ill.
“The only person who came forward to place a request to take over was Mr Armstrong. He was denied by the committee for reasons of their own,” announced Mrs Lane.
Mrs Potgieter has since admitted to the Estcourt News to the allegations of fraud against her.
READ: Shepstone Place Winter Market is a success
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
