Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has given all the former National Arts Council (NAC) members he dismissed until the end of the month to return all the organisation’s devices.
McKenzie dissolved the NAC on May 25 after they allegedly failed to resolve the staff’s long-simmering dispute over bonus.
The expelled NAC members have sent McKenzie a letter of demand to reverse the termination of their contracts and reinstate them to their positions. However, he has turned a blind eye to their demands.
McKenzie told Parliament on June 5 that he had asked the former members to return all the devices, including phones and laptops, to the organisation by the end of the month.
This he said in a written response , seen by Africa Daily, to a parliamentary question posed by EFF MP Eugene Mthethwa.
Mthethwa had asked whether all devices, including but not limited to laptops, tablets and smartphones, issued to National Arts Council (NAC) members who have since been terminated, had been returned.
McKenzie replied that not all devices issued to former members whose appointments were terminated had been returned.
“The NAC has communicated with the affected former council members and has afforded them until the end of the current month to either return the devices or purchase them at the applicable asset value. As at the latest available date, 14 devices issued to former council members remain outstanding, pending the conclusion of the return or purchase process,” McKenzie said.
McKenzie said no punitive or disciplinary measures have been instituted against the former NAC members at this stage, as the deadline afforded for the return or purchase of devices has not yet lapsed.
“Should any former council member fail to comply after the stipulated deadline, the NAC will consider appropriate action in accordance with its policies and applicable legislative prescripts.”
His department, he added, had not incurred any financial losses related to the process at this stage and that the recovery process remained active.
McKenzie stated that he dissolved the council because it failed to discharge its responsibilities for the benefit of the country.
“The National Arts Council exists to serve the arts sector and the people of South Africa. It cannot fulfil that mandate while its governance is consumed by a dispute of this nature.
“I gave the council ample opportunity and a clear framework to resolve this matter. That opportunity was not taken. I have therefore exercised my authority and dissolved the council with immediate effect,” he said.