The Association of Independent Recording Companies’ (Airco) building allegedly owes over R1.8-million to the City of Johannesburg. This debt is related to unpaid electricity and municipal services.
The building, located at 12 Orange Street, Sunny Side, was purchased by Well Run General Trading Company from Bula Music in 2015 for R1, 680 000. An estate agent said that the estimated building value was now about R3.5-million.
Well Run General Trading Company was established in 2013 by Moses Dodo Monamodi, the founder and current CEO of the Independent Music Performance Rights Association (Impra).
Municipality cut off electricity
“At that time he was the chairperson of Airco. He then put Mandla Maseko, the current chairperson of Airco, as one of the directors,” explained the source.
“Upon establishing this company, he and his associates bought the building from Bula Music. Since 2015, Airco had been operating from that building until recently, when the municipality cut off electricity due to non-payment,” explained the source.
Sunday World has seen the electricity bill from the City of Johannesburg.
According to the source, this company was created solely to loot public funds.
“This is the same company that controlled and managed CCIFSA and Airco funds. At that time, Monamodi was the treasurer general of CCIFSA.”
Last paid in 2018
A source from the City of Johannesburg said: “The last payment we received was in 2018. Therefore, we decided to terminate our services.”
Monamodi was approached for comment. He said: “I know Well Run General Trading, and it was established more than 10 years ago. I don’t understand why this is coming up now.
He then declined to comment, saying he is no longer part of CCIFSA or AIRCO.
“I cannot comment on those matters or questions because I am no longer in the employ of those organisations.
“For questions related to AIRCO, please engage the current chairperson and questions related to CCIFSA must be directed to the current chairperson or president. I can only answer questions related to my Organisation, Impra.
Attempts to contact the current President of CCIFSA, Joy Mbewana, were unsuccessful as her phone rang unanswered.
Maseko was also contacted but at the time of publishing, he had not responded.
