Father confirms Pippie’s fund is not an NPO, as was claimed
“WE didn’t steal money, but Pippie’s fund did help us fill a gap sometimes,” the little burn victim’s father, Erwin Kruger, said yesterday.
He was answering questions after the Hawks said there is evidence of serious irregularities with the Pippie se Gesiggie Fund, and they would ask the NPA to reconsider the decision not to bring charges.
Kruger confirmed yesterday that: • the donations were all paid into his wife Anice’s account; and • the fund was not registered as a nonprofit organisation (NPO) but as their private company.
“A lot of money was raised for my and Anice’s expenses as well. Anice sometimes had to fly to Cape Town or drive somewhere for a fundraising event and that was paid for by the fund.
“We wanted to open a separate account, but because the registration process wasn’t complete, we couldn’t.”
The fund’s Facebook page says it is an NPO.
“Maybe Anice in her naivety told people it was an NPO, but it wasn’t officially registered. It’s not our fault that the process takes so long.”
The application process has dragged on for more than a year, he said.
“There are a lot of administrative things that take a lot of time.
“It’s very frustrating and people don’t understand what a schlep it is.”
The official name of the fund is PippieseGesiggie Pty Ltd. It is controlled by Erwin and Anice and her mother, Loesje Barnard.
“I don’t look at bank statements every day, so I don’t know exactly how much money there is,” said Erwin.
He said there had never been more than R1,9 million in the account and there is about R300 000 left.
“We have paid for Pippie’s and Celiwe’s [Maseko] operations and the [rehabilitation] gym that was built at our house.”
He said the Hawks have demanded a forensic audit that will cost about R70 000.
“An ordinary audit would cost me R4 000.”
He said the process is almost complete.
Erwin insists there have been no irregularities.
“I know I haven’t stolen anything. I have often paid money from my own bank account to the fund, and I’m busy selling a car to pay that money into the fund.”
He said Pippie is making good progress back at home.
“She can even say my name, but only when she feels like it.”
Pippie Kruger’s father, Erwin, mother, Anice, and brother, Arno.