Suspended PPRA CEO faces 7 charges

MAIN IMAGE: Joseph Sakoneka, CEO of NPPC; Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, Chairperson of the NPPC; Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi, suspended CEO of the PPRA

Danie Keet

Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi, temporary suspend CEO of the PPRA, faced a disciplinary hearing on  Monday 25 July, following preliminary findings of a forensic investigation into her involvement in irregular activities as CEO of the PPRA. She will face seven charges.

The first charge is one of irregular appointment by ignoring the PPRA’s Supply Chain Management Policy which requires the process of competitive tender prior to committing the PPRA to expenditure in the range of R500 001.00 to R5 000 000.00. She also allegedly appointed Rural Brand Technologies for the development of a digital application for the PPRA for the total amount of R3 600 000.00 without following the competitive tender process.

According to the second charge she also made two irregular payments to the same company, amounting to R495 000.00 and R505 000.00 respectively.

It is further alleged that Mulaudzi contravened the Pension Fund legislation by not ensuring the registration of five employees as members of the EAABB’s Pension Fund and Life Assurance Fund.

She will also face a charge of financial misconduct or gross misconduct relating to the appointment of a company for catering services for a function to host representatives of the Namibia Estate Agents Board to the value of approximately R378 000.00.

The catering services supplied on 15 and 16 March 2022 was for approximately 40 (forty) people and not for 120 people as detailed in the invoice. As a result of the Mulaudzi’s conduct, the PPRA paid a total amount of R 378 000.00, while the amount due and payable for the actual services provided for 40 (forty) attendees over 2 (two) days is R84 000.003. The conduct of Mulaudzi resulted in financial loss of R294 000.00 to the PPRA and according to the charge sheet constitutes financial misconduct and/or gross misconduct.

In an earlier statement, Joseph Sakoneka, CEO of NPPC said: “The restoration of the credibility of the PPRA is critical for the industry, to this end, the PPRA Board needs to remain steadfast on its objective to conclude the investigations expeditiously and not be defocused and side-tracked by any side-shows concocted to muddy the waters and discredit the investigations.”

The corrective measures that are now being implemented by the board demonstrate a commitment to stabilizing the operations of the regulator and restoring the credibility of the institution which has unfortunately been marred with controversy since 2019. The ethical questions on the institution’s leadership and the negative media attention that came with it, adversely affected not only the reputation of the institution but more importantly, compromised the growth and transformation of the industry and the protection of consumers.

The NPPC commended the board of the PPRA for conducting a thorough, transparent, and fair process and in particular, the Chairperson of the PPRA, Steven Ngubeni, for leading this charge fearlessly despite facing numerous personal attacks.

Chairperson of the NPPC, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa said, It is most unfortunate that at a time when there is so much uncertainty in the industry and the PPRA is supposed to be actively working on implementing the new Property Practitioners Act, fast-tracking transformation and providing leadership and guidance, there is a leadership vacuum that prevents critical decision-making and progress.”

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