A forensic investigation could soon be underway to determine what happened to funds intended for the Atlantis Soshanguve Manufacturing Demonstration Training Centre (SMDTC).
SMDTC is a township-based advanced manufacturing business incubation centre. The model was brought to Atlantis in 2012.
The business incubator, based in the Atlantis Industrial area, was aimed at benefiting local businesses with subsidised office and factory rental space, office support and services. This would include telephone, internet, enterprise development and business-support workshops and mentorship. Eskom, the Department of Trade and Industry and Seda were some of the benefactors of the business incubation centre.
According to Dr Charity Mbileni-Morema, director at SMTDC Soshanguve, the Eskom Foundation donated R7,7m to the project, while the Department of Trade and Industry and Seda also contributed millions.
She said these funds were meant for purchasing equipment and operational costs.
“A company, SMDTC Properties (Pty Ltd) was registered within the non-profit organisation with three directors and monies were transferred into this company’s account,” Mbileni-Morema said.
Lewis Phidza, Stakeholder Management Manager at the Koeberg Power Station, said the Eskom Development Foundation (ESDEF), confirmed the entity’s contribution to the initiative and said the donation was not for the acquisition of a building but the procurement of equipment, machinery and for services.
He related: “In 2012, SMDTC Soshanguve applied for funding for the Soweto and Atlantis sites as part of an expansion. The money was paid to the Soshanguve Manufacturing Demonstration Training Centre NPO in December 2012.” The building is currently up for auction but any equipment is unaccounted for.
Kopano Auctioneers told Weskus Nuus nothing of any value was found in the building. The newspaper’s inquiry into the matter prompted the Eskom Foundation to launch its own investigation.
“Where it appears there is evidence of criminal activity, this will be referred to the relevant authorities for investigation and prosecution,” Phidza added. Former employees at the local SMDTC call centre, who did not wish to be named, say everything collapsed after three months, as they never received compensation. Mbileni-Morema said the organisation is talking to authorities about a possible forensic investigation into activities in Atlantis.
