Regulator Orders Charity to Halt Overseas Payments Amid Allegations Orphanage Does Not Exist

The Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has issued a directive to The Orphan Shop, a Fraserburgh charity, prohibiting it from sending funds abroad for the next six months. This decision follows allegations that the African orphanage, which the charity claims to support, may not exist. The OSCR confirmed it had initiated a statutory inquiry after the local newspaper, Press and Journal, highlighted these concerns, including the lack of any record of the orphanage by the Zimbabwean government.

The inquiry was prompted by reports that The Orphan Shop was transferring money to a private bank account, with the recipient, Esnath Mafemba, allegedly using these funds for a non-existent orphanage in Zimbabwe. Mafemba, known to be a friend of the charity’s associated parties but not a trustee or mentioned in its accounts, declined to comment until the inquiry’s conclusion. The charity’s representative stated that Mafemba is a dedicated individual committed to supporting underprivileged children, sometimes even with her own resources.

The OSCR’s spokesperson indicated that while the inquiry is still in its early stages, the regulator has acted to prevent any further payments intended for overseas beneficiaries. This measure aims to ensure accountability and uphold the integrity of charitable activities. The charity has expressed full compliance with the OSCR’s directives and is awaiting the investigation’s outcome.

In these matters, the principles of accountability and transparency are paramount, reflecting the biblical call to act justly and love mercy, as highlighted in Micah 6:8. This situation underscores the importance of rigorous oversight to maintain public trust in charitable organizations and to ensure that resources reach those truly in need.

Source: Read the original report