The South African Music Rights Organization (Samro) has denied claims that the precautionary suspension of its Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mpho Mofikoe, was an act of retaliation after she raised concerns about alleged corruption within the organization.
Samro CEO Annabell Lebethe addressed the suspension in a recent interview, stating that Mofikoe’s suspension was due to “potential internal transgressions” related to her conduct and not linked to her role in exposing financial misconduct.
Suspension Follows Whistleblower Claims
The controversy arose after reports suggested that Mofikoe had flagged irregularities, including an alleged R30 million spent on board members and R60 million in fraudulent claims. However, Lebethe refuted these figures, clarifying that board members are compensated only as per approved structures and that the R60 million pertained to unclaimed royalties from undocumented works—an issue uncovered in a 2022-2023 forensic audit.
Mofikoe was suspended on August 4, shortly after an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), leading to speculation that Samro was punishing her for speaking out. Lebethe dismissed this, stating the suspension was a procedural response to internal disciplinary concerns.
CEO Denies Whistleblower Status
Lebethe emphasized that Mofikoe was not a whistleblower but had escalated findings initially uncovered by other staff members. “The forensic audit predates her suspension, and the investigation was already underway,” she said.
When pressed on the timing, Lebethe maintained that the suspension was unrelated to the corruption allegations but declined to specify the exact nature of the charges against Mofikoe, citing an ongoing investigation.
Political and Public Backlash
The suspension has drawn criticism, with political parties and observers questioning whether Samro discourages internal dissent. Lebethe defended the organization’s integrity, pointing to a whistleblower hotline and a newly established risk management department as proof of its commitment to transparency.
What’s Next?
No timeline has been set for Mofikoe’s potential return, pending the outcome of Samro’s internal probe. Meanwhile, a separate grievance process is underway regarding Mofikoe’s complaints against Lebethe and the board.
As the dispute unfolds, stakeholders await clarity on whether Samro’s actions reflect procedural discipline or a deeper systemic issue.