The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Free State has called for an urgent investigation into the alleged mismanagement of millions of rand earmarked for the province’s arts and culture sector, following the resignation of a senior official from the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
In a media statement issued by Free State EFF provincial secretary Malefane Msimanga, the party alleged that the former official had served for years as the sole bank signatory of the Free State Provincial Arts and Culture Council (FSPACC), giving him exclusive control over the council’s finances.
According to the EFF, the official allegedly decided which artists and organisations received funding while processing transactions without the knowledge or approval of council members, in contravention of the Provincial Arts and Culture Council Act of 2007.
The party claimed the alleged conduct continued under successive heads of department, including former head of department Steve Tshabalala.
The EFF said the Provincial Arts and Culture Council was established to provide grants and financial support to qualifying artists, cultural organisations and practitioners, but alleged that many creatives had gone without assistance for years despite the existence of the structure.
It further alleged that the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation transferred millions of rands to the council over the years without adequate accountability or transparency.
The party accused those allegedly responsible of abusing public funds intended to improve the lives of artists and poor communities in the province.
The EFF also alleged that several former MECs who headed the department received kickbacks from the Provincial Arts and Culture Council in exchange for overlooking the alleged irregularities.
The party further claimed that funds intended for the development of sport, arts, culture and the creative industry were allegedly diverted to finance African National Congress (ANC) election events, including payments to artists who performed at party gatherings.
According to the EFF, it is engaging stakeholders in the Free State creative and cultural sector to support legal action against the former official, whom it described as central to the alleged collapse of the province’s creative economy.
The party said it would formally approach the offices of the Public Protector and the Auditor-General to request an urgent investigation into the alleged misuse of public funds.
It also called on the former official to account publicly for the council’s finances and urged Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae to intervene by directing the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation to ensure those responsible are held accountable.
The EFF further appealed to former officials and council members who served during the period in question to cooperate with any investigation, warning that anyone who withheld information could face scrutiny