Rallying to the clarion call from government to eradicate corruption in the public service, the Minister of Arts and Culture, Ms Lulu Xingwana, has taken decisive steps to root out corruption and misconduct within the Department of Arts and Culture.
Minister Xingwana is of the view that corruption is a cancer that destroys the fabric of the public service and in her commitment to the Batho Pele principles applicable in the public service has embarked on a plan of action to improve efficiency and effectiveness and ensure service delivery of the highest standard to the arts and culture sector.
Following her assumption of office, Minister Xingwana examined the department’s internal audit report and the report of Gobodo Forensic Services and was shocked to find allegations of serious irregularities and possible fraud and corruption. Further, the Auditor-General as well as Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) identified a case of conflict of interest within the department.
The department confirms that the former Chief Director: Coordination and then Acting Chief Operations Officer Mr M Madlavu was dismissed on 30 November 2009 after being found guilty of the charges relating to non-disclosure of previous convictions in his official forms as well as for the charge of providing false information to SCOPA.
Furthermore, the department confirms that the former Chief Director: Cultural Development Mr T Motsepe was dismissed on 28 February 2010 after having been found guilty of charges of serious misconduct relating to conflict of interest and non-disclosure of his financial interest in a close corporation.
In addition the appropriate criminal and civil proceedings are underway against Mr Motsepe for the recovery of funds, to the amount of R287 000.00.
Following the recommendations of the Gobodo Report, the department has placed Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Arts and Culture in Society Mr S Selepe and well as his Deputy Director: Ms T Mdlela on precautionary suspension based on allegations of financial misconduct. The disciplinary process against these two officials is underway. The possible financial loss identified in the Gobodo report as a result of the alleged misconduct of Mr Selepe is approximately R17 million.
The department has dismissed several officials who were guilty of having fraudulent qualifications.
Minister subsequently commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) to conduct a forensic investigation into a multitude of projects within the department including Cultural Development and Investing in Culture.
The PWC reports have concluded that various managers of the projects and programmes have failed to manage the projects effectively and failed to account for the use of funds. PWC has recommended disciplinary action be taken against several officials.
The following officials have been placed on precautionary suspension:
* Ms F Dilika
* Mrs L Ndebele-Koka
* Mr A Oberholzer
* Mr S Ndlovu
* Mr C Hlatshwayo
* Mr S Mabunda
* Ms M Matyila
* Ms K Machaba
The disciplinary processes against these officials are underway.
The financial loss identified in the PWC report as a result of alleged misconduct in respect of Dr Dilika and Ms Mbangela is approximately R15 million.
The Director of the Investing in Culture unit, Ms Mbangela, absconded from the department when the forensic investigation began.
The financial loss identified in the PWC report in respect of Ms Ndebele-Koka, Mr Mabunda and in respect of Mr Hlatshwayo amounts to R10 million. All of these occurred during the 2008/09 financial year.
We are also investigating the awarding of R51 million to a company in 2007 which the Auditor-General has deemed irregular expenditure.
The Minister will be constantly updating the public about her efforts to clean up the department.
Enquiries:
Sipiwo Matshoba
Cell: 082 939 3798
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Issued by: Department of Arts and Culture
19 March 2010
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