Managment at the notorious Al-Noor Orphanage in Woodstock allegedly used fraudulent documents to get overseas funding.
Former Western Cape Social Development MEC, Albert Fritz, has denied issuing a letter of endorsement to the embattled orphanage, saying the fake endorsement constituted “fraud and impersonation”.
The Weekend Argus is in possession of one of the letters which were sent to Dutch charity, Stichting Projecten Zuid-Afrika (SPZA).
Al-Noor’s manager, Amina Okpara was arrested by the Hawks on 14 June on charges of fraud and corruption and may face further charges, including sexual offences.
It is alleged that Okpara redirected donor funds meant for daily operations of the centre into her bank account and used it for personal gain.
In the alleged fake letter, the Department of Social Development’s ‘policy and framework unit’ endorsed the “extra-curriculum, holiday programme” at the orphanage.
However, the department’s head of communications, Esther Lewis, said they had no such unit.
The letter, which contains many grammatical errors, states: “By direction of Mr Albert Fritz, provincial minister for Social Development. Our provincial ministry wish to attest our full support for the holiday programme effectively-being facilitated by Al-Noor Orphanage. (sic)”
But Fritz denies the endorsement: “This document constitutes fraud and impersonation.”
The letter is signed by Siyanda Mbesi Mafilika, but the department said it has no employee of that name.
The orphanage was closed on 12 June, and 17 children were removed after allegations of sexual abuse.
Orphanage manager, Nkululeko Mboniswa, said it will appeal next week.
Okpara will appear in Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Thursday for bail.
Weekend Argus