Union criticises corruption-accused CFO appointment in the midst of NW Parks Board crisis and calls for full investigations.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU) has let out a fierce condemnation against what is termed the “scandalous and reckless” appointment of Morula Moloto as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB). This disputable appointment has provoked a firestorm of controversy, primarily due to Moloto being out on R15,000 bail for alleged corruption from a suspicious laptop tender dating back to 2018.

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Moloto, a 38-year-old financial administrator with a controversial track record, quietly assumed the CFO post in May 2025. This move came mere weeks after she resigned from Madibeng Municipality under a thick cloud of financial misconduct allegations. Her presence at the reins of the NWPTB’s finances has thrust the institution into a political storm, drawing aggressive union outrage, intense public scrutiny, and urgent demands for comprehensive reform and accountability within the provincial administration.

Corruption Charges and a Web of Controversial Appointments

Moloto, who previously served as CFO for both Madibeng and Kagisano-Molopo municipalities, faces serious charges of overseeing an inflated procurement of eight laptops for an astonishing R185,000 in 2018 while employed at Kagisano-Molopo. In 2024, she and her partner, Emmanuel Ramoroka, were criminally charged in connection with this alleged scheme and then released on bail by the OR Tambo district court.

NEHAWU has utterly declared Moloto’s appointment “scandalous and reckless,” maintaining that her ongoing legal battles render her entirely unsuitable for such a critical and sensitive financial leadership role within a public entity. In a forceful public statement issued on June 24, 2025, the union articulated its profound dismay: “This appointment is a spit in the face of public servants and citizens who suffer daily from poor service delivery and rampant malpractice.” This sentiment emphasises the deep-rooted public frustration with perceived exemption for those implicated in financial wrongdoing within the public sector.

Adding another layer of controversy to this already volatile situation is the alleged conflict of interest surrounding MEC Bitsa Lenkopane, who holds the executive authority over the department to which the NWPTB reports. Lenkopane previously served as the mayor of Kagisano-Molopo, the very municipality where Moloto’s alleged corrupt activities took place. NEHAWU has noted this prior connection, suggesting it points to a “politically orchestrated deployment” rather than a legitimate, merit-based appointment. This accusation fuels persistent concerns about cadre deployment and political support undermining good governance in South Africa.

Egregious Procedural Violations Raise Alarms About Governance Breakdown

NEHAWU’s investigation into the appointment process has brought appalling procedural violations to the surface, raising serious alarms about the state of governance at the NWPTB. According to the union, Moloto was allegedly the only candidate assessed for the CFO position, a blatant disregard for the NWPTB’s own recruitment policies, which explicitly order that a minimum of three candidates undergo rigorous competency evaluations. Furthermore, Moloto is accused of bypassing mandatory security vetting – a non-negotiable requirement for senior public service roles, designed to protect public institutions from individuals with questionable backgrounds or potential conflicts of interest.

“This deliberate manipulation of governance protocols shows the lengths to which certain individuals will go to secure positions for politically connected comrades,” NEHAWU emotionally stated, pointing out a systemic issue of nepotism and a potential breakdown of established administrative defence.

When directly confronted by journalists about her alleged role in facilitating Moloto’s appointment, MEC Lenkopane’s response was dismissive and uncooperative. She hurled, “If I support or do not support Moloto’s appointment is not your business,” and further accused the media of engaging in “gossip.” Something that further inflamed public outrage, Lenkopane downplayed the relevance of the corruption charges, rhetorically asking, “You wanted her to work for free?” Her comments have been interpreted as an attempt to evade accountability and a lack of appreciation for public concern regarding integrity in public office.

A Board in Peril: Leadership Failures and Financial Freefall at NWPTB

The uproar over Moloto’s appointment is not an isolated incident but rather the latest symptom of a protracted institutional crisis plaguing the NWPTB. A five-week employee strike earlier this year brought to light murky mismanagement, chronic financial dysfunction, and a severe lack of leadership. A detailed investigation by Gauteng News revealed a distressing pattern of salary delays affecting employees since as far back as 2022, resulting in the critical situation of bounced debit orders, unpaid benefits, and frustration among the workforce.

Since September 2024, the NWPTB has experienced an alarming shuffle of leadership, cycling through six acting CEOs. During this period of instability, employees have endured unilateral salary deductions, unfair dismissals, and the suspension of union leaders – actions that have further eaten at morale and trust. The state of affairs escalated to such an extent that the board was forced to declare a “state of emergency” in March 2025, as critical operations at the globally prominent Madikwe Game Reserve, a tourism asset, were severely disrupted.

NEHAWU’s demands go beyond merely reversing Moloto’s controversial appointment. The union is advocating for a comprehensive overtake and insists on the following critical actions:

Immediate reversal of the CFO’s appointment: A non-negotiable demand to restore faith in the institution’s integrity.
Suspension and thorough investigation of MEC Lenkopane: To ascertain her role in the alleged procedural violations and conflicts of interest.
A full probe by the Public Service Commission: To investigate all appointments made under MEC Lenkopane’s watch, ensuring adherence to public service ethics and recruitment protocols.
Law enforcement intervention, including by the Hawks and Special Investigating Unit (SIU): To conduct thorough forensic investigations into the financial dealings of both the CFO and the MEC, scrutinising any potential illicit enrichment or misuse of public funds.
Urgent intervention by the Office of the Premier: To address the systemic governance failures and institutional decay at the NWPTB.

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Broadening Ramifications: Political, Legal, and Public Trust

The growing public outcry has startled various civil society organisations. AfriForum, a prominent civil rights organisation, has publicly condemned the appointment, initiating its own investigation and issuing a stern warning of potential legal action should its concerns not be adequately addressed. Similarly, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for an immediate and comprehensive forensic audit of the NWPTB’s financial affairs, citing deeply troubling reports of the possible misuse of R7 million allocated for a provincial music festival, even as staff salaries remained unpaid – an accurate illustration of misaligned priorities and potential financial irregularities.

In response to mounting pressure, the North West Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism has significantly ramped up its oversight efforts. Notably, MEC Lenkopane recently admitted on the legislature that the NWPTB faces imminent financial collapse, revealing its reliance on emergency funding and a critical lack of adequate internal financial controls. This admission shows the dire state of the institution and the urgent need for decisive intervention.

The Future of Public Trust

As the NWPTB wobbles under the heavy weight of mismanagement, alleged corruption, and public mistrust, the controversy surrounding Moloto’s appointment serves as a powerful lightning rod. It sums up broader frustrations within the North West province concerning issues such as group deployment, systemic institutional decay, and established political sponsorship.

NEHAWU has issued a stern warning that it will mobilise mass action and intensify its efforts if its demands are not heeded by the provincial government. “We will not fold our arms while looters and their enablers run our province into the ground,” declared their statement, indicating a commitment to sustained activism.

Closing Statement

How the provincial government chooses to respond—whether through decisive action aimed at transparency and accountability, or by doubling down on existing practices—will have profound implications. Not only will it determine the trajectory of this specific scandal, but it will also critically shape public trust in the North West’s administration and its commitment to good governance in the challenging years ahead. The eyes of the province, and indeed the nation, are now firmly fixed on Mafikeng.