‘Suspend fraudster Rubben Mohlaloga’
PARLIAMENT’S watchdog on communications has recommended that the National Assembly and Communications Minister Nomvula Mokonyane suspend convicted fraudster and Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) chairperson Rubben Mohlaloga.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on communications chairperson Humphrey Maxegwana said: “The recommendation is in line with section 8 of the Icasa Act, and is made following a guilty judgment against Mr Mohlaloga on charges of fraud and money-laundering by the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.”
The committee initially took a resolution to recommend to the National Assembly that Mohlaloga be removed from the Icasa council, but the assembly referred the matter back to the committee following an intention to appeal.
Mohlaloga was appointed chairperson of Icasa last December, but was found guilty of fraud and money-laundering in January.
The court found that he had defrauded the Land Bank of about R6 million in 2008. He acted with at least three other accomplices to transfer the money from the Land Bank to an attorney’s trust account.
MPs were divided on whether Mohlaloga should be suspended on pay or without pay.
ANC MP Bongani Bongo said he should not be paid as he would not be rendering any services to Icasa.
“As chairs, we are being paid per meetings we attend. If you’re not attending the meetings, it goes without say that you will not be paid,” said Bongo.
DA MP Veronica van Dyk supported the view that Mohlaloga be suspended without pay, as he had betrayed a position of trust.
“This person was convicted of fraud. Why should taxpayers continue to pay him? He should have never been appointed in the first place We knew when we conducted the interviews that there was a question mark,” said Van Dyk.
The committee did not decide on the matter and said it would first allow consultations to be held. It is expected to finalise the matter by June 18.