Sunday Independent reports that staff at the Freedom Park heritage site have accused their CEO Dr Jane Mufamadi of maladministration, corruption, and promoting “ethnic values informed by tribal instincts” at the entity.

They want Mufamadi put on suspension while the allegations against her are being investigated. A letter purportedly authored by disgruntled employees, dated 26 February 2024 and sent to the Arts & Culture Department, alleged: “Under Dr Jane Mufamadi, Freedom Park has been turned into a sectarian organisation that in addition to this horrendous action, has been embroiled under corruption of high proportions and maladministration.” The concerned staff tabulated “a litany of examples of gross maladministration and corrupt activities under Dr Jane Mufamadi.” They claimed that Mufamadi had initiated an email for Venda-speaking staff members only, adding that she had led Venda-speaking staffers in writing a letter to Parliament without the knowledge of other staff members and the Human Resources Department. Among other allegations, the staffers indicated to the ministry that Mufamadi allegedly bought herself a Mercedes Benz using public funds and had awarded and influenced a security tender through which her friends and family members benefited. Approached for comment, Mufamadi denied all allegations and said: “These allegations have been made since around three to five years back, taking many forms and being ventilated on different platforms. For instance, these have been made to the Public Protector, who issued a report exonerating the CEO and the organisation. The allegations have also been made to the portfolio committee, which also found no basis for their being made.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Thabo Makwakwa at Sunday independent

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