The Banomusa Healthcare and Welfare Centre in Ndwedwe during a visit last year by KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, who made a donation to the institution. Rodgers was accompanied on a tour of the facility by board chairperson Christopher Sibisi and centre manager Khangeziwe Cele, the local ward councillor and provincial government officials, who inspected the centre and its operations.
Image: KwaZulu-Natal Treasury
The Banomusa Health Care and Welfare Centre, an old age home in Ndwedwe, has been plunged into controversy amid allegations that funds intended for elderly residents were misused by members of its governing board.
Former board treasurer Philani Ngcobo, who was subsequently dismissed from his position, has spoken out about what he describes as widespread corruption and financial mismanagement at the institution.
Ngcobo alleges that he was removed from his position because he opposed irregularities within the organisation. He accused the board of acting in its own interests and squandering resources intended for the care of elderly residents.
According to Ngcobo, efforts to address the alleged misconduct have failed, with the situation worsening instead of improving.
He specifically accused the institution's chairperson, Christopher Sibisi, of benefiting improperly from funds allocated to the facility.
Ngcobo alleged that Sibisi was awarded work relating to renovations at the centre, despite regulations prohibiting board members from benefiting from contracts awarded by the institution they oversee.
He claimed that Sibisi received approximately R140,000 for repair work involving doors at the facility.
"We still do not know how the amount reached R140,000. No one has been able to provide a satisfactory explanation. What is clear is that money meant for elderly residents is allegedly being spent irresponsibly," said Ngcobo.
He further alleged that he was instructed to transfer R10,000 as a donation to another senior citizens' centre in Mandeni.
"When the chairperson instructed me to make the payment, I immediately shared the message in our WhatsApp group so that other board members could see the instruction I had received," he said.
Ngcobo claimed that although concerns were raised, the payment was ultimately made. He questioned why the institution was donating funds while facing its own financial challenges and lacking basic resources such as a vehicle.
"What also raised concerns was that the bank account details provided did not appear to belong to the institution that was supposedly receiving the donation," he alleged.
According to Ngcobo, his attempts to expose the alleged corruption internally yielded little success.
He said he eventually reported the matter publicly and to relevant authorities, but claims the alleged misuse of funds continued unabated.
"They eventually removed me as treasurer and appointed Pastor Mnqobi Sibiya in my place. They believed he would support their decisions, and in my view, that is exactly what has happened," he alleged.
Sunday Tribune's sister newspaper, Isolezwe, has seen documents purportedly detailing various financial transactions and payments made by the institution, including amounts allegedly received by board members.
Ngcobo further revealed that a complaint was submitted to the Department of Social Development in February this year. He said the national department instructed its KwaZulu-Natal office to conduct an urgent investigation into the allegations.
According to Ngcobo, the matter remains under investigation.
When approached for comment, chairperson Christopher Sibisi described the allegations as serious and urged caution in reporting on the matter.
While acknowledging that he was aware of the accusations, Sibisi declined to address the specific claims, saying he knew the individuals behind them.
"They are doing everything they can to damage our reputation. I do not know what their objective is because we are the founders of this institution," he said.
Sibisi maintained that if there was evidence of criminal conduct, the matter should be reported to law enforcement authorities rather than the media.
"If someone is a criminal, the police must investigate and arrest them. They cannot be convicted in a newspaper," he said.
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