Mamodupi Mohlala, CEO of the Property Practitioners Regulatory Authority, has been placed on precautionary suspension.
The authority’s board chairperson Steven Ngubeni announced the decision on Monday.
The suspension comes after allegations of financial and appointments irregularities.
Mohlala, who was appointed in February 2019, was suspended on Friday, according to board member Pamela Makhubela.
She told a news conference in Johannesburg the suspension would be in effect until the conclusion and findings of an investigation.
“The investigation is to be conducted by an independent forensic investigator. That investigator is in the process of being appointed.”
We are definitely not saying she is guilty or not guilty. We are doing this to establish the facts of the allegations.
— Board member Pamela Makhubela
The board had appointed Deli Nkambule, the authority’s legal manager and enforcement and compliance executive, as acting CEO.
“The decision to suspend was an unanimous one taken by the board. The board believes the suspension is best in ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation can take place.”
She said the allegations against Mohlala related to the alleged suspension and loss of pension fund payments and irregular employee appointments.
In 2021 the pension funds adjudicator tribunal found Mohlala had allegedly disregarded pension fund scheme rules after allegedly issuing instructions for the suspension of a number of employees’ pension fund contribution deductions.
Makhubela said late last year, after the board’s appointment in November, they were informed by the adjudicator of its findings.
“The board was informed that the money had to be recovered.”
Asked how much money was involved, she declined to elaborate.
“All I can say is it is a significant amount which we cannot afford not to get back.”
The irregular appointments related to a number of people “in junior, mid-level and senior posts".
“A whistle-blower provided information on these appointments. They will be investigated to determine the veracity of the allegations.
“Once the investigation is concluded and the findings known, the board will know how to proceed. Until then the CEO will remain at home on precautionary suspension.”
Mohlala had been informed and provided with an opportunity to respond.
“We felt the response was inadequate, hence the suspension. Obviously she is not pro her suspension, but from her engagements with the chairperson and through reasoning and understanding she understands we have a judicial and public responsibility and the investigation has to be conducted.
“We are not saying she is guilty or not guilty. We are doing this to establish the facts of the allegations.”
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