CAF secretary general under investigation amidst corruption allegations

CAF secretary general under investigation amidst corruption allegations

Festus Chuma 21:00 - 02.08.2024

CAF has launched an investigation into one of its top official amid allegations of misconduct and corruption within the organization.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has found itself embroiled in controversy following serious allegations against its Secretary General, Véron Mosengo-Omba.

An internal investigation was launched to scrutinize Mosengo-Omba’s conduct as revealed in a recent emergency meeting presided over by CAF President Patrice Motsepe.

According to sources present at the meeting, which was described as "tense," the CAF executive committee discussed a report submitted by the head of governance, risk, and compliance, as reported by The Guardian.

The allegations against Mosengo-Omba are severe, accusing him of creating an "unethical and unprofessional environment" within the administration, "impeding" the duties of the governance, risk, and compliance department, and using "inappropriate language" in communications.

In a statement released after the emergency meeting, CAF conveyed its stance on the issue, emphasizing a "zero tolerance" policy for corruption or breaches of internal regulations.

“We have committed CAF to adhering to global governance, audit, transparency, and ethics best practices and established in 2021, an Internal Governance and Compliance Department in CAF," Motsepe stated.

He further elaborated on the actions taken following the troubling findings.

"This Internal Governance and Compliance Department brought the alleged breach of CAF’s internal Audit and Governance Regulations to our attention. The current culture in CAF of implementing and adhering to global governance, audit, transparency, and ethics best practices has resulted in CAF being respected by its sponsors, partners, African Governments, and other African and international stakeholders."

Motsepe assured that the executive committee would "discuss the Report and recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee and appropriate action will immediately be taken if improper conduct or behavior is identified by the Audit and Governance Committee."

Mosengo-Omba, who took office in March 2021, has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that his efforts to reform the institution have been undermined.

“My efforts to turn around and regularize this institution, which has been disrespected at times, are being sabotaged by an out-of-the-blue report containing grievances without documented proof. The planned independent investigation will expose the falsity & origin of this report,” he expressed in a statement on X.

The launch of the investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of CAF, which has seen other high-ranking officials, such as Malian federation president Mamatou Toure and Tunisian Football Federation president Wadie Jary, facing serious charges in their respective countries.

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