In 2023, the Limpopo Artists Movement wanted to boycott the festival because they felt the ministry had undermined its interests.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed six new and two amended proclamations giving the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) powers to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at the Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival.
The SIU made an announcement on Friday confirming the investigation into the Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival for the 2016/2017 financial year.
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Mapungubwe Festival
The festival celebrates cultural heritage through exhibitions, theater and drama, and also includes a gospel and jazz festival.
Last year, ahead of the 2023 festival, the Limpopo Artists Movement complained about the then MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nnekidi Kekana.
LAM provincial chairperson Mphoza Mashabela said: daily sun They wanted to boycott the 2023 Mapungubwe Festival because they were repeating the same line-up. He denied that he was also booked for the festival.
“We are not happy at all with this department. We are looking for new people to run the festival,” he said. Mashabela felt that the MEC and the department were undermining the interests of Limpopo artists.
The current MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture for Limpopo City is Mr Funani Jerry Maseko.
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Further investigation
Proclamation 192 of 2024 empowers the SIU to investigate maladministration in three areas of the Limpopo Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and to recover losses suffered by the department or the province.
The investigation also focuses on irregular staff appointments made by the ministry within five districts: Waterberg, Sekhuhune, Vhembe, Capricorn and Mopani. It will also investigate irregular payments, including payments for services that were not provided.
“The investigation will also examine whether the payments on these contracts were in accordance with National Treasury guidelines and will determine whether the payments were irregular, fruitless or wasteful expenditure or financial loss to the department or state.” The SIU statement confirmed.
“This declaration covers allegations of illegal and inappropriate conduct from January 1, 2011 to October 4, 2024.
Relevant activities conducted after the date of the declaration and before January 1, 2011, related to the matter under investigation or involving the same person, entity, or contract will also be scrutinized.
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