Solidarity Demands Removal Of Dondo Mogajane As GEPF Chair

Trade union Solidarity has urged Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to relieve Dondo Mogajane of his duties as Chairperson of the Government Employees’ Pension Fund (GEPF).

This call comes in the wake of serious allegations made by Tshifhiwa Matodzi, a convicted former VBS Mutual Bank board chairperson.

Matodzi claimed in his affidavit that he paid R1 million to the National Treasury’s former Director-General. The funds were allegedly meant to influence municipalities to continue investing in VBS.

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Mogajane has vehemently denied these claims. Solidarity’s Renate Pieterse highlighted the gravity of these allegations, stating, “The GEPF is one of the 30 largest pension funds in the world, and it is worrying and unacceptable that its chairperson is implicated in such serious allegations of financial irregularities.”

Further compounding the issue, it is widely known that Mogajane also serves as the CEO of the Moti Group.

The group has faced allegations of money laundering and other financial irregularities, as exposed by investigative journalists in the so-called Moti Files. These multiple allegations raise questions about Mogajane’s suitability for his role at GEPF.

In response to Matodzi’s claims, the National Treasury has reaffirmed its commitment to accountability in the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.

In a recent statement, the Treasury said, “We have rigorously enforced a legal framework to address unlawful transactions and uphold transparency since 2016.” The Treasury also clarified that the allegations against Mogajane have not yet been proven in any court.

Solidarity emphasized its responsibility towards its GEPF members and public service pensioners.

Pieterse warned, “Should urgent steps not be taken to remove Mogajane from his position, Solidarity will have to resort to further action.” This demonstrates the union’s commitment to ensuring that the GEPF remains free from any taint of financial impropriety.