The war of words between the president of the South African Roadies Association (Sara), Freddie Nyathela and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has reached another level.
In a fierce onslaught, Nyathela has gone after Public Protector (PP) Kholeka Gcaleka for “not taking his complaint against McKenzie seriously”.
According to Nyathela, the drama started in July last year when McKenzie accused
the vocal Sara boss of embezzling R20-million from his department.
He alleged that McKenzie had made the “false and slanderous accusations” during a creative industry workshop at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg in August last year.
He told Sunday World that he first complained about McKenzie’s statement to the parliamentary portfolio committee on sports, arts and culture.
But when he realised he was barking up the wrong tree, after the committee “ignored me on 24 February, I forwarded the complaint to the PP”.
In this complaint, Nyathela added that McKenzie and his department were “sabotaging Sara by blocking funding to the organisation’s technical and stage projects that empower youth”.
“The conduct of the minister is egregious and improper for the public office he holds, and he disregards his oath of office.
“Sara has been improperly prejudiced and discriminated against by the unfortunate conduct of the minister. It is also unfortunate that the minister had to use false and dishonest statements to suppress Sara and block the empowerment of the youth from being equipped with the technical skills necessary for creative innovators and technologists for the live events and wider creative industries in South Africa and beyond,” wrote Nyathela.
On April 14, Baldwin Neshunzhi, chief investigator in the Office of the Public Protector, replied that the Nyathela complaint had been finalised.
“The minister is expected to provide information and his response to the complaint allegations at least within 30 days. Anticipating feedback from the ministry by the end of May 2025. Any future updates shall happen as they become due,” wrote Neshunzhi.
But after waiting longer than the promised month for feedback on June 20, a frustrated Nyathela escalated the battle to Ponatshego Mogaladi, the executive manager for investigations at the Chapter 9 institution, demanding an update.
Instead, seven days later, the organisation’s COO, Nelisiwe Nkabinde, responded, stating that the matter was getting the necessary attention and feedback would follow.
On Monday, Mogalagadi fired another missive to Nyathela.
“The investigation team is in the process of analysing all the information gathered during the investigation with a view to conclude the outcome.
“We are prioritising this matter and intend to finalise it before the end of August 2025,” he wrote.
Nyathela slammed the PP office, charging that it had failed him.
“If they took my complaint seriously, I wouldn’t have been the one who was always checking, demanding an update,” he said. “I am disappointed.”
McKenzie and PP have yet to comment.
