The recently formed Legacy Foundation continues to make headlines, but for the wrong reasons.
Although the Foundation claims to have been elected by the broader community and represents the community, it has to this date not responded to claims that the elections held last June (16) were irregular as adequate notice was not given to the general public to participate (see Laudium Sun June 25, 2021 issue). Despite one of its objectives being to share memories of the past, including the ‘Marabastad’ days, no Africans and only one Coloured person, had been ‘elected’ on the board, although as per reports, Marabastad at the time comprised mostly of other races, besides whites.
However, of late, the Laudium Sun has received complaints that the Foundation had been ‘captured” by one of its exco members, Ismail Abramjee, who has apparently been appointed its PRO. Reports have surfaced that Abramjee (with the knowledge or seemingly even support of the chair, Daya Chetty) has been accused of being abusive towards fellow exco members to the point of even threatening them. Abramjee also stands accused of; deleting names of people from the Foundation’s WhatsApp group without authority from the Exco, representing the Foundation without proper mandate, attacking members of the community on a personal level and sowing divisions within the community. It is also believed that meetings were held at Abramjee’s home with only a few Exco members being invited, but included Daya Chetty and Justice Kollapen. It is also believed that the guest list, of the event held on 4th March in Laudium, in honour of Justice Kollapen being appointed at the ConCourt, which included high profile members of the legal fraternity being invited including senior judges, was ‘controlled’ mainly by Abramjee. There have also been reports that no official receipts were issued, for cash received for the function and four months later to this day, no financial reports have been presented to even the exco members. Allegations have even surfaced that Abramjee was riding on Justice Kollapen’s status as a Justice of the ConCourt when contacting people to donate for the function. A number of other allegations have been levelled against Abramjee.
The Laudium Sun thus then sent a number of questions to both Daya and Justice Kollapen highlighting various complaints received in this regard, this past Tuesday and before we could send the questions to Abramjee also, despite his denial of some of the allegations during our interaction with him recently on this matter, we were informed that the pair had sent our questions to the exco members of the Foundation, which Abramjee was seemingly still active on the group this past Tuesday evening, as he responded on the group, when Justice Kollapen stated that himself and Daya would formulate a draft response for other members to comment. This certainly was surprising as given the serious allegations made by Abramjee concerning the ConCourt outcome about four weeks back and pending a police investigation and Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo being on record stating that Abramjee’s post was very concerning and under investigation, Abramjee was still interacting on the platform. Unfortunately the response from the Foundation did not address the allegations made, which response is published below…
List of some of allegations sent to Daya for response…
[05/24, 18:12] Laudium Sun: Hi, Daya & Jody, chair & deputy chair of PTA Legacy Foundation. Following reports in the main stream media concerning your exco member, Ismail Abramjee, wherein he messaged the senior counsel of Parliament, stating that he has inside information concerning the outcome of a case involving the Public Protector in the Constitutional Court and following information we received from members of the community & members of the Legacy Foundation, we are planning to do a follow up story. Thus we require your comments on the following;
1. Who invited the judges to the function held at the Seva Samaj in honour of Justice Kollapan being appointed on the bench of the ConCourt?We require a list of all judges invited & which ones attended? What was the full role played by Ismail prior & at this function? Were any business cards or contact numbers exchanged between Ismail & any of the judges? Did Ismail meet any of the judges privately (other than at the function)?
2. We are reliably informed that both of you are aware that Ismail has been using the forum & both its WhatsApp platforms for personal vendettas against certain people including the Laudium Sun, the Kit Kat family & has attacked (both vulgar & abusive) members of the Forum including a certain Haroon & Hassen, and unilaterally removed people from these groups. According to our information no action has been taken against Ismail in these matters. If this is true kindly let us know why was no action taken & if action was taken, kindly provide details of the outcome.
3. Also, can you let us know why has Ismail not been suspended from the Legacy Foundation concerning his remarks on inside information on the ConCourt ruling? We are aware of a post that Daya sent out to members about possible action against Ismail, but that does not say anything.
4. We received a complaint from a former member of yours, Mrs Bhika, that she was subjected to a grilling session at Ismail’s home, where both of you together with Ismail were present concerning her complaint against Daya, for being sexist against her. She felt humiliated that you invited her alone, to a meeting at a private house, where there were only men present. It was only upon her insistence that you guys finally allowed her to be accompanied by her husband. Your comments on this matter are required.
5. You are aware of the story which the Laudium Sun published soon after your so called exco elections, whereby allegations were made that you guys bulldozed the election process by not giving proper or sufficient notice to the community, what are your comments on this matter?
6. Daya has been accused by many readers ‘attacking’ the interim Laudium Residents Association allegedly for not being vocal enough concerning the recent spate of water & electricity outages, yet both of you are at the helm of the legacy foundation, why did you not each time confront or approach the council or relevant authorities yourselves, through you organisation?
7. Why was Ismail given so much authority, in the foundation?
8. There have been social media posts which pictured Justice Jody & Ismail together, concerning the possible link of the leaking of information of the outcome of the constitutional court verdict, what are your comments on this?
9. Your members allege that Daya had resigned from the foundation, yet without further information to members, he still seemingly holds the post of chair, how cum? 10). We understand that donations for the function were collected in cash & via items, kindly furnish us with a full list of donors & donations received & was all the cash deposited into your banking account? Kindly give your response by not later then Thursday (26 May 22) at noon, via this platform. Regards
[05/25, 11:20] Laudium Sun: Hi Daya & Jody, following our WhatsApp post yesterday requiring information concerning the Legacy Foundation & its members, we are reliably informed that you have posted our queries on your Exco group, which was also read by Ismail Abramjee, and who also commented. kindly include Ismail’s comments made last night on your group in your response. We understand that Judge Jody had undertook to formulate a brief response together with Daya.
Response from Daya
The Pretoria Legacy Foundation (PLF) hosted a function on 4 March to celebrate the appointment of Justice Kollapen and Judge Kooverjee. Chief Justice Mohamed was honoured posthumously for his sterling contribution to the Judiciary. The event had the support of both Management committee and Trustees. It was a lovely community event enjoyed by all. The costs of the event as well as contributions received will form part of our financial statements. In so far as the management of disputes and differences go, we strive to seek solutions through open discussion where the dignity of all is respected. The matters relating to the sms does not involves the PLF except to say that Mr Abramjee volunteered to stand down until the matter was resolved and that is the current situation. We will continue to use our best efforts in pursuit of the goals of the PLF.
D CHETTY
CHAIRPERSON PLF
