Samro COO claims suspension is to silence a whistleblower

Mofikoe fingers CEO, board in misconduct

- By Bongani Mdakane

South African Music Rights Organisation (Samro) chief operating officer Mpho Mofikoe has claimed that her recent suspension from the organisation was punishment for fighting fraud.

Mofikoe stated in a letter written to Samro human resources department that the entity’s management was retaliating against her for bringing wrongdoing under the microscope.

In fact, Mofikoe has made several complaints, one of which resulted in a forensic probe whose “final report by Fundudzi Forensics in June 2023 implicated several members of the board”.

Mofikoe had alleged that various publishers had obtained over R60-million from Samro fraudulently, and that the organisation's board members were involved. And insiders claimed that this earned Mofikoe the CEO, Annabell Lebethe’s wrath.

At a tense extraordinary general meeting last month, Mofikoe allegedly made sweeping accusations, including against board members.