The Ministry of Arts and Culture condemns Mr Sipho Sithole's manipulation of the media for the purposes of furthering his own personal interest in a matter that should be ventilated through the courts where Mr Sithole claims damages in the region of R10 million.
The minister's legal team has advised her not to engage in litigation through the media, but rather to allow all the matters to be revealed in court in due course.
Minister Xingwana rejects with contempt the malicious and contrived allegations of Mr Sithole.
Minister Xingwana wishes to put it on record that these allegations have been trumped up.
The minister has been fighting corruption since she arrived in the Department of Arts and Culture and will not be deterred in her efforts to insist upon a clean and well functioning administration.
Minister Xingwana also reiterates that underpinning her ministry and department is the embrace of the principle of "unity in diversity", the building of social cohesion and the promotion and support of cultural programmes and activities of artists and arts practitioners without fear or favour.
For more information contact:
Lisa Combrinck
Cell: 082 821 4886
Mack Lewele
Cell: 082 450 5076
Minister Lulu Xingwana responds to allegations in the Sunday Independent of 3 October 2010
