Cape Town - The Muslim Judicial Council (MJC) SA says members of its executive implicated in the mismanagement of over R500 000 in funds will be subject to a disciplinary process.
This follows the leaking of a report which detailed findings from a commission of inquiry set up to investigate allegations of financial irregularities for the 2020/21 financial year at its annual general meeting in April last year.
Compiled by Sheikh Shahid Esau, Moulana Abdurahmaan Khan, Sheikh Muhammad West and Moulana Khalil Hendricks, the report dated June 11, 2022 came to light this past weekend.
The audit report details how the receipt of funds for the Zakah Fund was “unaccounted for”.
The report recommended that MJC president Sheikh Irafaan Abrahams be investigated for “fitness to hold office” and for the immediate sacking of treasurer Sheikh Fadhil Emandien, and found that first deputy president, Moulana Khaliq Allie had failed in his constitutional duty.
The MJC issued a statement on Monday saying the issues raised by one of its members were promptly addressed through the formation of an internal Commission of Inquiry (COI) tasked with investigating the allegations.
“After a thorough investigative process, the COI issued a report to the Senior Council of the MJC (SA) ‘Imaarah’ followed by a presentation of the findings to the MJC General Majlis,” it said.
“The COI... found no prima facie evidence of theft, however, the COI found systematic financial mismanagement and serious control failures...
“Owing to the seriousness of these findings, the Imaarah resolved to place the Treasury function of the MJC SA under administration.
“Furthermore a disciplinary process was initiated by the Imaarah against the implicated individuals. The process is currently under way and being chaired by an external legal professional.
“The MJC (SA) would like to clarify that it did not receive any Covid-19 monies as alleged in social media.
“We appeal to the media and public to respect the current process and refrain from aspersions which may jeopardise the hearings.”
rafieka.williams@inl.co.za