The Hawks in Free State raided the provincial department of sport, arts, culture and recreation in Bloemfontein on Tuesday.
The morning raid confiscated documents that can be linked to the Mangaung Cultural Festival (Macufe) scandal, after the high court ruled recently that the annual cultural and sporting event was unlawful and should be set aside.
Insiders in the department told Sunday World that when the crime-busting unit pounced, the gates and doors were locked up in an attempt to avoid staff from leaving or coming into the premises.
“When the Hawks arrived, all the gates and doors were locked and people were told to stay put. Those who wanted to leave were told that they will not [be able to] do so. The Hawks started searching for documents in relation to the Macufe,” said an insider.
Another source said the raid was bound to happen, after the department decided to give the Macufe tender to C-Squared, despite a court challenge by DS Consortium, a joint venture between Dots Design Group and Sonaqua Events and Promotions.
“This was expected and this matter is gaining momentum. Many people are going to be arrested,” said a source.
Sunday World reported in October that C-Squared, a company which organised Macufe, was dealt a heavy blow when the high court in Bloemfontein ruled against its application to appeal the earlier court judgment.
Judge Phillip Loubser previously ruled that the annual event was unlawful and later dismissed with costs C-Squared and the department’s application for leave to appeal. His ruling went in favour of DS Consortium.
However, the multimillion-rand festival went ahead in September and October.
Free State MEC of sport, arts, culture and recreation Dimakatso Mahasa and her spokesperson, Tankiso Zola, did not respond to Sunday World’s questions.
Hawks spokesperson Leonore Pretorius said: “I can confirm that we are doing a search and seizure in the department. The operation is still in progress and we will release a statement later today.”
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