Palapye Development Trust Suspends Employee
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday November 23, 2021 11:37
PDAT, a major community development trust in Palapye, has for some time been rocked by these claims and theft of assets that include over P1 million taken from its bank account and a piece of land.
The claims have set members of the Palapye community on a collision course with the former management and the Board of Trust. Although information remains sketchy, it is said that investigations into the trust’s financial scandal have been instituted.
The trust’s chief executive officer, Gaeesi Morake told The Monitor that one staff member has been suspended pending investigations. Although Morake could not be drawn into further discussion on the matter, he said all would be revealed once investigations are concluded.
Morake, who took the reins in July said as a ‘new broom’ that ‘sweeps’ in the company, he was duty-bound to ensure that he inherits a company in a good financial status hence the investigations.
While he denied that a forensic audit of the trust has been instituted, he said there were concerns about internal processes relating to the trust.
“What I know is that there is a worker on suspension pending investigations. That’s all I can say for now. The problem with the trust has always been its internal processes. There is a lot the trust can do. As someone new in this position, I have to make sure that I inherit a company with good accounting books,” Morake said.
He said the investigations are meant to verify and establish the truth behind the allegations rocking the trust. Morake added they are looking to find sufficient proof before the findings are shared publicly.
This is not the first time the trust has been marred by controversy. There were reports in January 2020, that over 200 protesters twice laid siege to the office of the Palapye deputy district commissioner, Odiseng Moruti, forcing him to nullify the election of board members for a new trust that would have replaced the PDAT.