Money at root of temple row

Spat over finances goes to court

MEMBERS of the executive committee of a 93-year-old temple are engaged in a legal tussle over finances.

Two weeks ago, Cape Town businessman Runganathan Moodley filed for an interdict to stop the Cato Manor Hindu Temple and Benevolent Home from holding its annual general meeting.

He asked for the organisation’s audited financial documents to be made public before the meeting took place. Temple chairman Jayaseelan Naraidoo, treasurer Devandra Naidoo and secretary Karanugaran Naidoo were cited as respondents.

In his application filed at the High Court in Durban, Moodley asked that financial documentation regarding the temple’s charity campaign be made available before the board’s annual general meeting, which was set to take place on October 28.

Moodley, the temple’s former vice-chairman, said he had initiated a fundraising programme a few years ago called Obayam For Life. The purpose of the fund was to save moneys received from various donors to help cover the expenses of the temple.

He said he and his family had contributed “in excess of R100 000”.

Moodley said the Obayam for Life account had not been properly audited, giving no indication “as to when funds were used and for which purposes”.

But in his responding papers filed on Friday, Naraidoo said Moodley was acting in an attempt “to further his personal aspirations at the expense of the temple’s good name”.

Naraidoo said Moodley had no authority as a temple trustee to bring the application, adding that Moodley was present at a meeting during which the date for the annual general meeting was set and finances discussed.

“Moodley raised no issue with the audited financial statements and it is consequently difficult to comprehend why he would harbour a belief that audited financial statements would require to be completed,” he said.

He denied that Moodley initiated the fundraising programme, stating that it was a joint committee decision.

Naraidoo and the two other respondents asked that the case be dismissed.

The matter was adjourned to allow Moodley the opportunity to file a response.