Provincial Nafcoc boss won’t comment on accusations against her

EASTERN Cape Nafcoc president Mpumi Magini has been accused of dipping into the business chamber’s coffers for personal use and acting outside its constitution.

Just seven months into her tenure, Magini has been asked to account for about R70 000 allegedly used without consulting the elected signatories.

Nafcoc members say she sidelines anyone who questions her actions.

From today, Nafcoc holds its first na- tional conference since elections in November.

Nelson Mandela Bay regional president Msiza Madikane said he and his executives got nowhere when they questioned Magini’s insistence that the region pay its membership fees into Nafcoc Eastern Cape’s bank account.

“In terms of the constitution, subscriptions must be paid into the regional account and only a fifth goes to the province. We said if there is a change in the constitution we want it in writing but she refused. As a result she has side- lined us from the conference, but we are going at our own expense.”

“Don’t you dare mention my name in that article,” Magini said when asked to comment. “In my democracy I have freedom not to comment. I will comment after the conference.”

Madikane said he and his executive would approach national office bearers regarding Magini’s conduct. Last week it was reported that Magini’s provincial executive members were locked out of provincial offices in Southernwood when they requested a meeting to con- front her over R9 000 used without the knowledge of other signatories.

Nafcoc Eastern Cape spokesman Stanley Cakata said he was surprised to learn almost R70 000 had been withdrawn from a bank account in which he and Magini were joint signatories and had raised the issue with national office bearers and Magini’s executives. The account was opened especially to promote elections last year.

“I have submitted a statement to national [office] and said [Magini] must account, since she is the one withdraw- ing money. I also took that information to her executive and she ran away when they wanted her to account.

“She sidelines her executives and elects new ones willy-nilly.”

Magini’s deputy, Mxolisi Dyibishe, said they were aware of the allegations and would address them after the conference. But national Nafcoc spokesman Mboneni Mulaudzi said he was shocked at the fresh accusations as they had met with the Eastern Cape executive on Friday and they had not been raised in the meeting.