THIEVES have made off with the financial records of the troubled Ikhwezi Community Centre at Vlakkeland manor-house in Mbekweni, Paarl, effectively preventing the forensic investigation which has been called for by sponsors of the centre. >The forensic investigation, paid for by the German funders of the centre (the Lutheran Church), was approved by the trustees, after assistance to the centre was halted,
The centre, which aims to create work in the community with handicrafts, is now in dire financial straits and could soon be forced into bankruptcy.
Allegations of abuse of donor funding for private expenses of staff, like school fees and car repairs, have been made
.
A staff member of the centre laid a charge with the Mbekweni police after the theft of the financial records of the centre was discovered on 14 September.
.