The Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Conservation and Tourism at the North West Provincial legislature has threatened legal action against Parks and Tourism Board Executives, after they failed to appear before the committee for the second time to account on the delayed payment of salaries and status quo of the entity.
The members are Chairperson Advocate Matshidiso Mogale, including other board members Barney Lobelo, Sharon Sepeng, Tonto Nkadimeng, Mothusi Raphadu and Dr. Goitseone Pholo.
Mogale and five of her board members are accused of twice deliberately snubbing the committee chaired by Mpho Khunou, to account on the state of the entity that is alleged to be on a brink of collapse.
According to Khunou, they failed to appear before it on 4th February at Hartebeespoort Dam and subsequently on 18th February in Mahikeng this week.
“Board members have failed in their legal duties to account on the operations and to ensure that there are proper governance systems and sound cash flow through revenue collection.
The failure to appear before the Committee shows that they are undermining the work of the legislature to hold the entity accountable as there are many challenges facing this entity,” said Khunou, who was speaking on You FM Newshour
He further expressed concerned about the appointment and dismissals of acting Chief Executive Officers in a short period of time without following proper procedures.
“There has been six acting CEOs in the last six months as witnessed with Jeff Mabunda who acted from 1 October to 31 December 2024, Charlene Jacobs from 3-24 January 2025. Goitseone Pholo for less than a month.
Then we heard that on the 18 February 2025, Jonathan Denga has been appointed to act as well,” remarked Khunou.
Khunou was however unwilling to admit that the entity is bankrupt as it is unable to meet some of its financial obligations.
“Bankrupt is a very technical term, all I can say to you is that they don’t have money in their coffers to pay salaries for February (which were due today).
In March, they have to rely on bailouts which they have already done, they have written to the department to bail them out so that they are in a position (to pay salaries).
If you look at the letter from the MEC the statement that came out today, they department had to appeal to the provincial treasury to give them money so that the entity can pay employees’ salaries,” explained Khunou.
The committee has also resolved to propose a full legislature enquiry into the operations of the entity and its subsidiaries.
“We’re seriously worried as our parks have not been functional to generate their own income due to the instability of the entity’s management, are in total disarray and not ready to be one of the chosen G20 platforms,” remarked Khunou.
