Hawks probe Pippie fund

The Hawks have launched an inquiry into allegations that a foundation set up in the name of burn victim Pippie Kruger is a farce and that funds may have been misappropriated.

Hawks spokesperson Capt Paul Ramaloko said the crime combating unit was in the process of “testing whether the allegations have any substance”.

“At the moment we are looking into the matter and then we will decide who to charge or not,” he said.

The complainant, who took the matter to the Hawks, claimed that the so-called fund was bankrolling her mother Anice Kruger’s lifestyle.

“A person has come forward with allegations and we are busy inquiring whether charges should be laid or not,” Ramaloko said.

Pippie se Gesiggie was according to its website set up as an non-profit organisation (NPO) for “the aid in burns and helping children and people as much as possible”.

It was set up last year after a miracle skin graft on five-year-old Pippie Kruger – who sustained third-degree burns to 80% of her body – was a success.

One of the submissions to the Hawks is that the application for the foundation to serve as an NPO was unsuccessful and it was in fact registered as a private company.

But lawyer Phillip Taljaard said Pippie se Gesiggie was set up as a company first and then a memorandum of understanding was signed to transfer it to be an NPO. “We are still waiting for documentation that says NPO instead of Pty Ltd,” he said.

Pippie’s father Erwin, mother Anice and her grandmother Louise Hendrina Johanna Barnard are the directors of the company.

Lynne Zurnamer, a communication specialist from Oz Healthcare Communications, speaking on behalf of the foundation, denied any wrongdoing.

“I can categorically say there is no wrongdoing,” she said. “The money is being used for Pippie’s rehab but also money was given to Celiwe Maseko for her skin graft,” she said.

Zurnamer said the mandate of the NPO was to use the funds for Pippie’s rehab and to help a serious burn victim once a year.

-The New Age