A group of former political prisoners are going to court to try to remove businessman Tokyo Sexwale from a trust for ex-political prisoners, reported City Press newspaper on Sunday.
Sexwale heads the Makana Trust, established to look after the interests of former political prisoners and their dependents.
A group led by businessmen Jaki Stone Seroke and Ramakaudi Paul Ramakatsa filed an urgent application in the Pretoria High Court to have Sexwale removed as chairperson, reported City Press.
They allege in court papers that the trust has degenerated into a ”personal fiefdom” for some while the interests of impoverished former political prisoners were ignored. The case is due to be heard on May 29.
”The trust has instructed its lawyers to challenge and expose the falsehoods concerned in the high court,” Sexwale’s spokesperson Chris Vick told the paper.
On Sunday, the Ex-Political Prisoners’ Committee (EPPC) called the court action ”a destructive campaign to smear the leadership of the EPPC, the Makana Trust and the Makana Investment Corporation”.
EPPC president David Moisi and EPPC general secretary Notty Ngcobo said they had ”full confidence in the Makana Trust, as led by Tokyo Sexwale” and its ability to look after the interest of the former political prisoners.
The pair accused Seroke and Ramakatsa of being ”renegade elements” who were being investigated by the EPPC for failing to account for funds given to them by the Trust, via the EPPC.
”They have consistently failed to account for funds allocated to them,” said the EPPC officials. – Sapa