Central SA
PSA calls for probe into appointment of ‘controversial CFO in North West’─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 06:00 Thu, 17 Jul 2025
The Public Servants Association (PSA) has called on the Premier of the North West Province to immediately investigate the recruitment and appointment processes that led to the hiring of the Chief CFO at the Parks and Tourism Board.
Morufa Moloto, who was appointed despite facing serious criminal charges, is currently out on R15,000 bail. She is accused of corruption and financial misconduct stemming from a 2018 laptop tender scandal during her previous roles at the Madibeng and Kagisano-Molopo municipalities.
“It is alarming that a candidate facing such serious charges could be appointed to manage public funds without proper vetting or consideration of the reputational risk and trust implications for the institution and the public it serves,” said Nceba Baardman, a Labour Relations Officer from PSA Northwest.
The PSA strongly condemned the decision to place Moloto in a senior financial oversight position at a time when the Parks and Tourism Board is already under immense scrutiny. Baardman emphasised that this move reflects a disturbing disregard for ethical governance, due diligence, and public accountability.
Baardman further urged provincial leadership to take swift corrective action.
“The PSA calls on the Premier of North West to urgently launch an independent investigation into the recruitment and appointment processes followed in this case.”
The union also demanded the immediate suspension of Moloto’s appointment, urging the North West Parks and Tourism Board to immediately review and reverse the appointment of Ms Moloto, pending the outcome of the legal proceedings and the internal investigation.
Baardman added that the case highlights the broader issue of politically motivated appointments at the expense of merit-based hiring.
“This situation illustrates yet another case where cadre disregard for merit-based processes compromises service delivery and public confidence in government institutions.” He affirmed that the PSA will continue to monitor the situation closely and explore all available avenues “to ensure that public sector appointments are guided by integrity, transparency, and accountability.”
The PSA’s concerns echo those previously raised by AfriForum, particularly regarding the unstable state of the North West Parks and Tourism Board.
AfriForum’s Environmental Affairs Advisor, Marais de Vaal, previously described the institution as being “on the brink of collapse”, citing chronic leadership instability and financial distress.
According to De Vaal, the board has had six acting CEOs within just six months, none of whom were properly appointed, and it failed to pay employee salaries in February and March due to a cash flow crisis.
