Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has launched an investigation into the financial affairs of one the wealthiest communities in the country following allegations that millions have been looted from its fund.

Madonsela on Friday addressed hundreds of members of the Bapo ba Mogale tribal community, who have accused the North West provincial government of mismanaging its funds.

The community owns vast pieces of land which are home to mining operations by companies, including Lonmin, who in turn pay millions in royalties to the community.

However, the affairs of the community have been clouded by controversy following leadership squabbles that have seen the royal family requesting that Kgosi Bob Mogale be removed from the chieftaincy due to his alleged incapacity to run the affairs of the community.

The squabble over the chieftaincy, which is now in the hands of the courts, has resulted in three administrators being appointed by the provincial government to run the affairs of the community over the last four years. All the administrators have in the past been removed from their positions as the community has cried foul over their handling of the community’s finances, with startling allegations of corruption levelled against them.

Madonsela on Friday confirmed that she has launched a probe into the so-called D-Account, in which the community’s royalties have been paid by the mining companies in the area.

The account has not been audited for nearly 18 years and will form part of her investigation, which will include how two administrators appointed by the provincial government allegedly made off with more than R18 million and R3.6m in 12 and six months respectively.

Madonsela said she had already met Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi and North West MEC for Local Government China Dodovu, who attended yesterday’s meeting, to discuss her investigation into the matter.

Among the main issues discussed was the failure by Dodovu’s office to hand over all financial documents related to the account, which the community expects will reveal widespread corruption by politicians, service providers and members of the royal family.

“We have requested the North West government, through the office of the MEC, to hand over the information related to this account but that request has fallen on deaf ears.

“I am, however, confident after the meeting I held with the MEC and the minister that the information will be given to us as early as next week,” said Madonsela.

Madonsela said she planned to speak to the former administrators about how the finances of the community had been handled and investigate whether indeed they had made off with the amount of money they were accused of by the community.

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