Former SABC radio personality Linda Sibiya and the department of arts and culture in KwaZulu-Natal will have to face the wrath of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in its bid to recover millions of rands that are missing.
This is if the DA has its way.
Sibiya, who is no stranger to controversy, finds himself under scrutiny after the department issued an explosive statement last week claiming he had not honoured his contractual agreements with it despite being paid R4-million.
At the centre of the discord between the department and Sibiya is a comment made by the former radio DJ in an EFF event in Durban north last week.
Sibiya vilified the department, saying it neglected artists.
Sibiya accuses politicians of living high life
He further took jabs against provincial cabinet members, accusing them of living a high life while artists live in squalor.
The department wasted no time in responding, saying Sibiya is not a saint.
It said Sibiya had fled with the department after failing to stage an event, adding that he also failed to reimburse the department.
On Wednesday, the DA entered the fray and said its wants both Sibiya and the department to be investigated.
“The DA is led to believe that the department failed to take action against Sibiya to recover the money, as it remains hopeful that he will eventually hold the event as promised.
“Not only has the department exposed Sibiya, they have also exposed their own dismal failure to either recover the money or charge him for pocketing to,” the DA said.
The blue party also said it has since approached the SIU to intervene in the matter.
MEC must face the music
It further pointed out that the MEC in charge of the department, Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba, should also face the music.
It is not the first time that Sibiya, who during his radio heydays commanded a cult-like following, has found himself in trouble.
In 2014, he was fired from the public broadcaster for allegedly orchestrating and conspiring to loot more than R1.8-million from fashion giant Edcon.
The money was apparently given to Sibiya’s company Magic Communications to be used in an event honouring Ukhozi FM legends.
Another allegation was that Sibiya had used the public broadcaster’s platform to campaign for the ANC.
The spats between Linda Sibiya and the department took place a few days after he ditched the ANC for the EFF.
