• Ithala board allegedly resigned due to impending charges.
• KZN’s people deserve to know the truth.
• Resignations cannot become an escape route from accountability.
Note to Editors: Please note Hannah Lidgett, MPL sound bite in English
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has submitted written parliamentary questions to KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) following serious revelations around the former Ithala SOC Limited board.
The revelations, made during a recent EDTEA portfolio committee, reveal that former Ithala board members allegedly resigned as a result of impending charges. This is an extremely serious development and KZN’s people deserve to know exactly what these investigations relate to, who is implicated, what charges were contemplated, and whether any criminal, civil or disciplinary action will follow.
Regrettably, the embattled entity has been plagued by allegations of governance failures, mismanagement, regulatory non-compliance and weak oversight.
In April, media reports also confirmed the resignation of the entire five-member board amid ongoing governance, compliance and operational challenges. This followed broader concerns around the entity’s failure to secure the necessary banking licence, placing Ithala at risk of liquidation.
The DA, as a responsible partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), has requested the following answers from EDTEA:
1. The exact nature of the investigations involving former Ithala board members;
2. Whether any board members were facing internal disciplinary charges, civil claims, criminal charges or referrals to law enforcement agencies;
3. Whether their resignations were accepted before consequence management processes could be concluded;
4. Whether EDTEA, Ithala or the provincial government has referred any matters to the SAPS, Hawks, SIU, Prudential Authority or any other investigative body;
5. What steps are being taken to recover any losses suffered by Ithala or the state; and
6. Whether any former board members will be barred from future appointment to public entities.
Resignations cannot become an escape route from accountability. If public officials or board members presided over maladministration, mismanagement or conduct that harmed KZN’s citizens, then they must face the consequences.