Cultural and Creative Industry Federation of South Africa (CIFSA) , which was led by actor Tony Kgoroge, is being investigated by Special Univestigations Unit for the alleged mismanagement of millions of rands.
CIFSA allegedly made a payment of R12 million rands to an awards show when Kgoroge, an acclaimed actor, was the organisation‘s chairman in 2018. It is alleged that the organisation used the money from the Department of Arts and Culture to sponsor the Usiba Creative and Cultural Industries Awards.
The awards, held at Emperors Palace, were organised by the department under the leadership of former minister Nathi Mthethwa in collaboration with CCIFSA.
Media personality Zanele Mbokazi was the executive producer of the awards show and Mthethwa hosted the event.
On Tuesday, the office of the public protector told parliament that the SIU, which investigates fraud and maladministration relating to public funds, is looking into a R12-million payment.
The office is investigating allegations of financial misconduct by CCIFSA after kwaito legend Eugene Mthethwa laid a complaint claiming that CCIFSA misappropriated public funds in relation to the hosting of the Usiba awards.
The public protector was updating the portfolio committee on sports, arts and culture on the status pf remedial action.
During the presentation, the office of the public protector said the allegations were not investigated at length because the complaint was also being probed by the SIU.
In the previous report, the public protector said they were informed through an e-mail by the department’s director-general Vusumuzi Mkhize that they are cooperating with the investigation.
“Mr Mkhize stated: Kindly be advised that the department has received a similar letter from the Special Investigating Unit regarding the issues of financial mismanagement against the CCIFSA and it was requested to investigate and report back to SIU on the matter,” reads the report.
Mkhize was requested to submit a response to the allegations made by Mthethwa.
In his response to the public protector, Mkhize confirmed that a memorandum of agreement in connection with the R12-million was allocated by the department to the CCIFSA.
The memorandum was dated April 20 2018. The investigation is under way.
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