BPP suspends members over missing funds
Chakalisa Dube | Friday November 10, 2017 16:10
It is alleged that DSG, Thabani Peter and treasurer Tongomani Dan have on several occasions withdrawn money from the party’s bank account without the knowledge of other party officials.
The money was reportedly not used for party activities. It is also unclear as to how the money was used although there are allegations that the duo might have used the money for personal gain. The bank withdrawals are said to have started around March this year.
The central committee is said to have realised that money was missing from the party accounts mid-October.
A resolution to suspend Peter and Dan was reportedly taken on Saturday at a central committee meeting.
Yesterday BPP secretary general (SG), Venter Galetshabiwe said that the party has started an independent investigation into the disappearance of the party’s funds, which amount to nearly P160,000. “We have suspended both the (deputy) SG and the treasurer pending internal investigations relating to party money, which is missing from the account.
They were issued letters on Wednesday. I cannot offer more details on the suspension because it relates to a sensitive party matter,” he said. The BPP has also reported the matter to the police, Galetshabiwe told Mmegi.
Kutlwano Police station commander, Neo Serumola also confirmed that they have opened an investigation on BPP members over the disappearance of money in the BPP accounts. “We have not charged anyone at the moment (in relation to the missing funds). We recently questioned some members within the party’s central committee, but there is nothing much we have gathered about the matter at the moment. Investigations are still ongoing,” Serumola said.
The BPP reportedly generates its income from leasing its plot to Somalian secondhand car dealers. The car dealers have been renting the plot, which is in Block 1 location for a notable number of years. Mmegi has learnt that the plot generates a monthly income of P6,000 to the BPP.
Peter said that he is not aware of his suspension from the party when Mmegi made contact yesterday. “If at all I have been suspended the suspension is yet to reach me. As for allegations levelled against me I cannot comment because I consider them an internal party matter,” Peter said in an interview.
According to insiders, Peter has maintained an innocent gesture.
He is said to have told other central committee members that he only acted as a signatory under the thinking that the money was going to be used for party activities.
Although some members of the central committee do not buy into his version, Peter maintains that he thought that the money was particularly going to be used to improve a mini-building at the BPP plot.
Yesterday Dan promised to call back in 10 minutes after Mmegi got a hold of him, but did not. He failed to pick up his phone when called again and did not respond to follow-up texts sent to his message inbox.