Kliptown has always been associated with the historic Freedom Charter which was formally adopted there in 1955. Of the ideals enshrined in the charter, none is more applicable than the fifth on the list. It reads: “All shall be equal before the law” and is quite self-explanatory.
Tholi Madondo (25), founder of Talent Tracker South Africa (TTSA), found himself questioning how officials at the City of Joburg (CoJ) are not being charged following improper use of his Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) letterhead by Sports and Recreation employees.
Madondo, who founded the NGO in 2009, is a community activist from Kliptown who encourages the youth to participate in the sport instead of opting for a life of crime.
It emerged in July last year that CoJ officials employed at the Sports and Recreation arm of the CoJ had duplicated TTSA’s sponsorship documentation to obtain funding to line their own pockets.
Madondo said, “We have a feeding scheme which fed children from the area and an annual Christmas party where children received gifts.”
“Because of this, sponsors informed me that they had already provided funding and donations. It was sad to turn the children away last year.”
WATCH:
Tholi Madondo, founder of TTSA distancing himself from alleged fraudulent activity by CoJ officials
Not one to take this lying down, Madondo contacted Deputy Director of Sports and Recreation, Karen du Plessis at the CoJ.
The e-mail communication between the two has done little to resolve the matter and to date, the officials implicated in the procurement of donations under false pretense have not been brought to book.
du Plessis, in an e-mail to Madondo, said, “I have sent (sic) you a response regarding the issue, indicating that we have received the complaint and that it has been reported and that we are dealing with the said individuals.”
“Unfortunately I cannot proof the date as my computer has since crashed. I further discussed the matter and collaborated (sic) the info with the staff in Eldos.”
She further adds that the issue had been escalated to the Risk and Audit department of the CoJ. Madondo contends that he has not been informed of any progress in the case, nor has he been called as a witness. Meanwhile, the children who benefit from the programmes offered at TTSA are in limbo as he awaits a final verdict.
The Eldorado Urban News reporter has contacted du Plessis via e-mail and was informed on February 8 that she was no longer dealing with the case which had been escalated to the internal audit department.
According to du Plessis, feedback would be provided by the departments mentioned, but the CoJ has remained tight-lipped about the issue as no further correspondence regarding this matter has since been received from them.
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