London:
Pop superstar Madonna has fired the board of directors of her Raising Malawi charity after reports that the members blew USD 4 million, meant to build a school in the poverty stricken African nation, on club memberships and chauffeur-driven cars.
The 52-year-old singer, who drew much flak for pulling the plug on the planned school, has decided to helm the charity herself.
Madonna took the decision after the charity's flagship project, the Raising Malawi Girl's Academy, was abandoned last week following an audit which discovered millions had been frittered away.
Madonna announced plans for the 500-pupil girls school in 2009 and flew into the country to lay the first brick amid much fanfare.
A spokesman for the singer, who has adopted two children from the country, confirmed that a new interim board will be appointed which will include her manager Guy Oseary.
Madonna has also hired a team of advisers after being hit by a string of lawsuits from former Raising Malawi employees and criticism over the charity's handling of the project.
The 52-year-old singer, who drew much flak for pulling the plug on the planned school, has decided to helm the charity herself.
Madonna took the decision after the charity's flagship project, the Raising Malawi Girl's Academy, was abandoned last week following an audit which discovered millions had been frittered away.
Madonna announced plans for the 500-pupil girls school in 2009 and flew into the country to lay the first brick amid much fanfare.
A spokesman for the singer, who has adopted two children from the country, confirmed that a new interim board will be appointed which will include her manager Guy Oseary.
Madonna has also hired a team of advisers after being hit by a string of lawsuits from former Raising Malawi employees and criticism over the charity's handling of the project.
