04 September 2018
MEDIA UPDATE:
For immediate release
THE CSOS BOARD SUSPENDS ACTING CHIEF OMBUD AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Sandton, 04 September 2018 – The Board of the Community Schemes Ombud Service (‘CSOS’) has suspended its Acting Chief Ombud, Adv. Seeng Letele and Chief Financial Officer, Mr Themba Mabuya with effect from 03 September 2018, following allegations of gross negligence, dishonesty and dereliction of duty in regards to an R80 million investment in VBS Bank and failure to provide relevant information to the Board relating to the investment of surplus funds.
The suspension is on condition of full pay and subject to pending investigations and a possible disciplinary enquiry.
Ms Ndivhuo Rabuli, who is the current Executive for Legal, Compliance and Enforcement has been appointed Acting Chief Ombud. Mr Nathi Dube, the current Finance Manager, has been appointed Acting Chief Financial Officer.
Wanda Lubelwana
Spokesperson
Manager Marketing and Communications
Cell: 082 7961805
For media queries:
Doniah Motsoeneng
Email: donia.motsoeneng@csos.org.za
About the CSOS
The CSOS was established in terms of the Community Schemes Service Act, 2011 (Act 9 of 2011) to regulate the conduct of parties within community schemes and to ensure their good governance. Community Schemes are defined in the CSOS Act as “living arrangements where there is shared use of and responsibility for land/buildings such as sectional title, homeowners ’associations, retirement housing schemes, share block companies and housing cooperatives.”
It came into operation on the 7th of October 2016 when the CSOS Act was proclaimed into law by the President with a mandate to:
•Develop and provide a dispute resolution service;
•Provide training for conciliators, adjudicators and other employees of the CSOS;
•Regulate, monitor and quality assure scheme governance documentation; and
•To take custody of, preserve and provide public access electronically or by other means to scheme governance documentation.
In terms of section 22(1) of the CSOS Act, CSOS funding is derived from levies charged to community schemes, fees charged for dispute resolution, money appropriated by Parliament, gifts or donations made to the service with the approval of the Executive Authority, the Minister of Human Settlements.
