Claims of fraud at Castle to be probed

THE management of the historic Castle of Good Hope is set to face parliamentary scrutiny following allegations of corruption and maladministration.

Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Defence and Military Veterans will consider the allegations after the Castle’s board conducted an internal investigation into the allegations, and said it had not found any corruption and maladministration.

DA MP Shahid Esau, who brought these allegations to the attention of the board, Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula and Secretary of Defence Dr Sam Gulube said Parliament would schedule a meeting and summon the board to appear before the committee.

“We will call the Castle to come to answer, and be accountable for what has been said.

“They will also be expected to explain their report. We will pronounce on the matter,” said Esau.

In his report, Esau wants an investigation into alleged financial irregularities.

He also noted procurement corruption, such as the awarding of a R5 million tender to a service provider who did not meet the mandatory requirements.

“There is dereliction of duty, in particular by senior management, including the theft of priceless artifacts from the Chinese Government exhibition, equipment, confidential documents and irregular labour practices and victimisation of employees,” said Esau.

He told Independent Media he was in possession of evidence supporting the allegations, adding it would be revealed once the Castle’s board appeared before the committee.

“I think we have raised a few issues before of processes and procedures which were dealt with by the board, but this time there were too many issues I received from people working at the Castle.”

The chief executive officer of the Castle of Good Hope, Calvyn Gilfellan, told Independent Media that after conducting its investigation, their board “could not find anything”, and referred their own report to the minister.