Addresses allegations from `anarchists`, announces open meeting FOLLOWING ONGOING accusations of financial mismanagement, unfair employee dismissal, non-existent corporate governance and an arrogant, unresponsive leadership, the Black IT Forum (BITF) has finally spoken out on how it plans to address matters within the organisation, hitting out at `anarchists` who are `seeking the demise of the body`.

The BITF, established 11 years ago to promote the inclusion of historically disadvantaged people in the predominantly white male-populated IT industry, has featured regularly in the media over the past few months. Its management readily admits this has been for all the wrong reasons.

FROM THE START

Early in March, the organisation was rocked by a statement delivered directly to BITF members and the media by ex-employee Cathy Phage, alleging that the "power-hungry" executive committee was mismanaging the organisation, squandering available finances, and was sexist to the point of harassing women in the organisation. Fingers were pointed at national chairman Neville Naaidoo, Gauteng chairman Mthunzi Mdwaba and Sipho Ndaba, who led the organisation`s investigating team.

Hoping to diffuse the situation, the leadership called a press conference to deny the allegations and inform the market that attorneys had been instructed to take civil action against Phage. However, the briefing soon turned to chaos as Phage herself appeared, hurling accusations at the exco.

The situation took a turn for the worse when Tebogo Khaas - claiming to represent 20 disillusioned members of the forum - called a press conference to announce an extraordinary meeting, where matters regarding the financial health of the organisation, its management and value delivery to members would be discussed.

OPEN HANDS

Under significant pressure to respond to the issues that have largely played out in the media, the BITF and Mdwaba in his personal capacity last week again held a press conference - this time to speak openly about the problems plaguing the organisation.

Delivering a statement from the BITF, Brandon Radcliffe, a member of the Gauteng exco, responded to allegations from "anarchists" within the group, including Phage and Khaas.

"There is no crisis in the BITF. As with all organisations we have had our fair share of challenges. One of them has been Cathy Phage. This matter will continue to be heard at the CCMA," he stated. "A networking forum - open to all members - will be held at Microsoft on 12 May to deal with any further queries."

After explanations by Radcliffe as to why the organisation had failed to address general member concerns, Mdwaba came out with what he denied was an accusation of insider involvement in the robbery at its premises last year.

"Ironically, an ex-employee seems to have this database at her disposal, yet we do not," said Mdwaba stopping at an outright accusation, due to a lack of evidence to support such a claim. Radcliffe said the BITF member database was stolen during the robbery and that the organisation was still trying to reach members through any means possible.

As for allegations of looming bankruptcy, Radcliffe said the forum was financially healthy and that an e-mail sent earlier in the year by Mdwaba to the exco referred to cash flow difficulties, following late payments from event sponsors. He also countered allegations of a luxurious exco getaway at member cost by saying it had been a golf day and conference held last year to celebrate BITF`s tenth birthday, which had been open to all members and stakeholders. Interestingly, Radcliffe said the idea for the event and its planning and management were Phage`s undertaking.

"IT`S PERSONAL"

Mdwaba in his personal capacity added to this that, to his mind, Phage and Khaas have attempted to create a crisis in the organisation because of personal vendettas against himself.

He confirmed Phage had been dismissed over the resignation of Ma-Setlogelo Mathose. However, he said, this was due to Phage "refusing to refrain from unprocedurally terminating the services" of the employee after the exco had rejected the resignation, on the basis that Mathose was a valuable asset to the body.

"Having disobeyed my instructions by unilaterally and summarily dismissing [Mathose], Phage was suspended and subsequently dismissed after failing to present herself to a disciplinary process."

Khaas has his own history with Mdwaba. According to Mdwaba, he supported Khaas`s creation of an SMME Forum and made representations on his behalf to acquire working space at reduced rates at the Information Technology Association`s (ITA) premises.

Khaas failed to pay rental and Mdwaba, president of the ITA at the time, gave the go-ahead to proceed with legal action for outstanding payments of R4 605.39. Judgement was taken against the SMME Forum; however, said Mdwaba, Khaas had then tried to fraudulently remove attached property at the ITA.

Khaas has not addressed this claim: "This is not about me or the SMME Forum; it is about mismanagement in the BITF."

Although he has yet to receive his invite to the networking forum at Microsoft, Khaas maintains he will happily go but does not believe that it will provide the appropriate conditions to deal with the forum`s many issues.