The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called for answers from KZN Arts and Culture MEC, Hlengiwe Mavimbela, following yet another shocking discovery within her Department – this time that R5.1 million was allegedly paid to several contractors for the purchase of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) despite their not being on site and no construction taking place.

During the Department’s 2020/2021 budget meeting, held last year, it was proposed that an amount of R32 million be set aside for the construction of 10 modular libraries in various districts across KZN. The modular libraries were to be have been built in KwaNkosi Khumalo, Franklin, KwaNzimakwe, Sankontshe, KwaKhetha, Denny Dalton, Mfekayo, Nibela, Mpembeni and Ntunjambili.

The DA has established that, at the time, an amount of R640 000 was apparently given to each contractor for PPE. A year has passed since the budget was approved, yet it remains unclear as to whether the modular libraries were ever completed.

The DA demands answers over this (view here). We want to know whether those contractors who were given funding for PPE were religiously on site to ensure that construction was completed and whether the modular libraries are ready to be used. The names of the contractors awarded the additional funding for PPE also need to be made public.

The DA also needs to know who these contractors were so that the readiness of the libraries for use by communities can be questioned. In addition, we want answers on whether water and electricity has been connected, whether staff have been appointed and whether or not furniture and books are available for use to deem these modular libraries fully operational.

The DoAC has a lot to answer for given the claims of mismanagement of PPE funds that are now beginning to surface. The situation comes as hundreds of artists in our province are struggling to survive in the midst of a global health pandemic. This while the DoAC has apparently spent millions on PPE for contractors who were not even at work.

We expect the Department’s HOD, Mr NP Chonco, to confirm whether these amounts were in fact spent on PPE for contractors, who these contractors are and how their appointments were made. We also expect him to tell us who will be held accountable.

The DA remains committed to monitoring this issue and will not hesitate to take appropriate action in the event that the MEC does not.

Issued by The DA