McKenzie wants answers about millions set aside for struggling artists
He’s told the National Council of Provinces that the government needs to determine what happened to all the money paid to it to help struggling artists.
FILE: PA leader and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie. Picture: Katlego Jiyane/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton Mckenzie says he will order a forensic investigation into the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA).
He’s told the National Council of Provinces that the government needs to determine what happened to all the money paid to it to help struggling artists.
Last week, Parliament’s portfolio committee disputed the financial statements CCIFSA put before it and questioned the expenditure of R12 million paid to it by the department.
CCIFSA is a non-profit organisation set up to promote and develop the social and economic interests of the cultural and creative industries.
Mckenzie said it's unacceptable that money meant to help the country’s artists is the subject of regular corruption allegations.
"CCIFSA has been getting money from the department for years, but never have they reported back. What are they doing with that money? This is the first time that CCIFSA has not received a cent and will not receive a cent. And I’m instituting at 10am a forensic investigation into what happened to all this money that CCIFSA that was meant for the artists, said Mckenzie."
Mckenzie added that he’s determined to clean up organisations meant to boost the creative industries including the National Film and Video Foundation.
"That was one of the first tasks as the new minister. The board is no longer. There’s a new, fresh board. The acting CEO is no longer. I’ve now co-opted the CEO from the department to go while the board is appointing the new CEO," said Mckenzie.