The Citizen reports that Afrikaans teachers’ union the Suid Afrikaanse Onderwysers Unie (Saou) is facing another investigation, with its secretary-general’s R3.6 million salary among a flurry of alleged irregularities subject to a labour registrar’s probe.
Registrar advocate Lehlohonolo Molefe confirmed the investigation, but would not reveal details. It is apparently at an advanced stage. At the heart of members’ complaints, which are also the subject of a criminal investigation, are allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering, and the use of allegedly dubious entities. The labour department is apparently also looking at constitutional irregularities, as Chris Klopper was listed as the secretary-general in the union’s constitution as filed with the department, but used the title of chief executive officer. It was revealed last week how the union’s members were horrified by Klopper’s R3,651,851 annual salary. Also in the spotlight was a failure to keep minutes of critical meetings where far-reaching decisions involving the union’s finances were taken. “The process that is likely to unfold is putting the union under administration, paving the way for its deregistration, as it is an illegally run entity, fleecing its members,” a source observed.
- Read the full original of Sipho Mabena’s report on the above story at The Citizen
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