By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) department in KwaZulu-Natal has ordered an investigation into allegations of spousal nepotism against uMngeni Municipality mayor, Chris Pappas.
Pappas has been accused of nepotism and corruption after his fiancé, JP Prinsloo, was appointed chairperson of UMngeni Tourism, an NPO funded by the municipality, and received excessive grants.
Former DA KwaZulu-Natal leader, Sizwe Mchunu, filed a complaint with the Public Protector’s office, alleging that when Pappas resigned as a DA MPL, Prinsloo, then an eThekwini municipality councillor, left his job to be closer to Pappas.
He alleged uMngeni Tourism received a R100,000 grant from uMngeni Municipality, while the top five tourism organisations operating within the municipality received R10,000.
Prinsloo denied the allegations of nepotism, saying that uMngeni Tourism “stands as the only council-recognised community tourism organisation.
In a statement, he said: The allegations highlighted the fact that there were organisations that received less funding than uMngeni Tourism and that this is somehow an indication of malpractice. It is not. While there are two additional organisations contributing to regional tourism under the umbrella of uMngeni Tourism, it’s important to note that they receive comparatively less funding due to their more limited geographic coverage.
He added: “These organisations are, nonetheless, integral parts of the uMngeni Tourism board and reap direct benefits from the activities and effective operation of uMngeni Tourism.”
He said, his relationship with Pappas ended months ago and that the allegations were politically motivated and meant to damage his NPO’s reputation.
Prinsloo said he was elected as the uMngeni Tourism’s chairperson in two annual general meetings in 2020 and 2022, which a full uMngeni council endorsed.
Cogta MEC Bongiwe Sithole-Moloi instructed relevant officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.
While we refrain from making judgments about the veracity of these allegations, we express our concern.
“In accordance with our constitutional mandate, we have instructed relevant officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter. This investigation will enable us to address the issue promptly and effectively. Once the investigation is concluded, the department will take appropriate actions based on its findings,” said Sithole-Moloi.
In an interview on Ukhozi FM this week, Pappas denied his involvement in the decision to appoint Prinsloo’s NPO as a recipient for funding.
“How can a company that only registered this year get tenders that did not even exist in 2021? That does not make any sense. Also, why is all of this coming out now, but these people claimed they’ve known about these allegations for a while,” he told the radio station.