Africa-Press – Lesotho. THABISO Madiba, the main suspect in the murder of two colleagues, has resigned as the managing director of Naledi Funeral Planners (Naledi). Madiba resigned last Friday, a day before he was due to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer charges of fraud, corruption, dishonesty, money laundering, cooking accounting books, concealment, conflict of interest, maladministration and mismanagement.
He was accused of stealing more than M10 million from Naledi in a looting spree suspected to have lasted over six months. A forensic report revealed that he defrauded the company through dodgy deals, dubious invoices and bogus companies allegedly owned by his relatives and friends.
Naledi’s board of directors suspended him in September last year pending investigations into his alleged looting and other shenanigans. But just as the investigation was wrapping up, Madiba allegedly paid M50 000 to hitmen to kill Ikhetheleng Matabane, Naledi’s chief finance officer, who had exposed his alleged corruption and fraud.
Matabane was shot by two gunmen in broad daylight at The Deck restaurant in February, a few days before the Naledi board was due to discuss the damning forensic report on Madiba’s alleged crimes.
Naledi’s finance manager Maserema ‘Makong, who was meeting Matabane to discuss the report ahead of the board meeting, was also killed. thepost was the first to reveal that Madiba could have organised the killings to cover up his alleged looting.
The alleged plot started unravelling in late February when two men were arrested in connection with the murders. Madiba, who is alleged to have been their paymaster, was arrested and charged with the murders a few days later.
He is out on bail but the murder charges did not stop Madiba from fighting for his job. He has been waging legal battles with the Naledi board. His latest case came a few weeks ago when he filed an urgent High Court application seeking an order to block the board from disciplining him.
His argument was that the board lacked the authority to charge and discipline him. He however suffered a setback when the court ruled that his case is not urgent and it should join the long queue of other civil cases.
The board then scheduled his hearing for last Saturday and Sunday but he resigned on Friday. thepost however understands that despite the resignation Madiba, who is Naledi’s major shareholder, has not given up on his fight against the board. He is said to be still fighting to force the board to call an urgent meeting to remove some directors he accuses of pushing him out.
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