Gayton McKenzie, the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, has launched a forensic investigation into all individuals who received funds from his department.
McKenzie revealed this on Tuesday, June 10 2025, in Parliament.
“I’ve given the instruction to the ADG (acting director-general) that all the people who received money should be investigated.
“That process is ongoing, and I’ll come and report here on the findings. After 10 days, I shall be submitting a list of all the people that are being investigated by the department,” said McKenzie.
External auditors
He stated that some officials within the department are still trying to protect their friends.
“I’ve since established a panel of external auditors and investigators. These cases will go to that panel, and we will give them terms of reference. The department will pay the panel,” said McKenzie.
The Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts and Culture then questioned him about the Mzansi Golden Economy (MGE) and the recent march that took place.
The march was organised by arts organisations including Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA), South African Music Industries Council (SAMIC), South African Arts and Culture Youth Forum (SAACYF), the South African Association of Arts Administration (SAAA), Cystahood, the Cultural and Creative Industries Guild of Africa (CCIGA), and TUMSA, to mention a few.
The main purpose of this march was to force McKenzie to release the MGE results.
MGE under scrutiny
ANC member of parliament Nkhensani Bilankulu said that MGE seems to benefit the same people repeatedly.
“We see the same people or organisations participating in the MGE. We’re therefore wondering why that is, or if the application process is too complicated for others,” asked Bilankulu.
Another ANC MP Matsholo Mmoletsane said it was wrong for the MGE to benefit the same people.
“Why can’t you put a forensic audit on those organisations? This is public money. We need to silence the unnecessary noise. There are real artists who are suffering. Is it possible that the march was organised by the repeated recipients, who then convinced others to march with them?
“It is important that the investigations be done by external people. Because some officials pay the money to the wrong entities. If they are part of these investigations, they will obviously not want to be exposed,” said Moletsane.
DA wants action, results
DA MP Liam Jacobs said they are tired of talk and now want to see results.
“We need actual consequences, not just talk. As much as it is mentioned that the same people are getting funding, we need a breakdown of this year’s MGE. …The one dating back to the last five years.
“That will give us a good picture of what’s going on and the patterns that have been occurring. We can also interrogate this. Hence, we need these financials; we want to follow the money,” said Jacobs.
Responding to the MGE questions, McKenzie said: “I have received the MGE memorandum. We’ve read the demands and will formally respond to the artists. The memorandum is very broad. It has personal accusations but also legitimate concerns, which I am aware of.
Marchers have own agenda
“But I can also tell you that many of the people who were marching there are the same ones who’ve been receiving millions and millions of rands from the department.
“They have made it their birth right to receive money from the department. Some of them are corrupt to the core. They see the government as their salary. It’s not all of them, but most.
“They don’t want the gravy train to stop. They are trying to intimidate me so I can stop the investigation that I’ve started,” said McKenzie.
