information on missing public funds at the State Theatre
11 August 2006
The Minister of Arts and Culture, Dr Z Pallo Jordan, would like to state
categorically that his department has not failed to hand over documents on the
alleged missing funds at the State Theatre, which resulted in the mothballing
of the institution in 1996.
âWe are fully committed to openness and find it incomprehensible that Ms
Meridy Wixley would suggest that we have not been co-operative in her
investigation of this matter. In fact, we have documentary evidence that shows
our willingness to help in any way that we can,â said Dr. Jordan.
While the Minister is happy that a citizen and former board member, Ms
Meridy Wixley, has taken it upon herself to pursue the matter with a
single-minded focus, it is unfortunate that this has resulted in her spreading
malicious rumours about the departmentâs unwillingness to co-operate in her
pursuit of the matter of missing R20 million at the State Theatre.
Instead, the Department has long expressed its willingness to open any files
related to the misappropriation of public funds. In fact, as recently as 12
July 2006, Ms Wixley was invited to make copies of any relevant documentation
that she needed. Our legal department even went ahead to propose two possible
dates (13 and 25 July 2006) for Ms Wixley to access any information she needed
at our offices. However, she did not honour the invite.
We wish to state it categorically that we are committed to openness in our
handling of matters of public interest. Thus we find it incomprehensible that
the matter has ended up in the Pretoria High Court. It has been now suggested
that the Department is playing hide and seek games with senior officials
avoiding accountability on matters relating to public funds. As far as the
department is concerned, the matter of access to information is non-negotiable
and all government functionaries who can help in this matter are ready and
willing to come forward.
We are of the view that the way the matter has been pursued by Ms Wixley is
creating unnecessary confusion and, at the same time, denting the image and
integrity of the department. Now that Pretoria Deputy Judge President Jerry
Shongwe has issued a court order, we reiterate that it has always been our
position to be ready and willing to hand over any papers requested, as well as
ensure that our officials will be available to co-operate.
For further details, call:
Sandile Memela, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Arts and Culture
Cell: 082 800 3750
Premi Appalraju, Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 375 2939
Issued by: Ministry of Arts and Culture
11 August 2006
Source: Department of Arts and Culture (http://www.dac.gov.za)
