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By OBAKENG MAJE  

North West Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation department continues to be marred with allegations of fraud, corruption and mismanagement over the COVID-19 relief fund.

This comes after some disgruntled artists and athletes allege that the COVID-19 relief fund process was blemished hence they were rejected.

Botaki Le Badiragatsi Taung Association (BBTA) chairperson, Kgomoco Mangwegape said: “It has been a six months rollercoaster for our artists and athletes. We have submitted over 300 applications, but only 17 were approved. As artists and athletes, we are dejected because our relief fund application process had been burdened with uncertainties and poor communication from the department.

“We request the department to give clarity on what informed their decision to approve some artists and athletes applications, whereas rejecting others. The R150 million that was set aside by the President, was supposed to fairly mitigate the effects of COVID-19 within the industry.”

A local Hip Hop artist and former Vaaltar FM presenter, Mpho “Gee-Cliff” Kooe shared the same sentiments. Kooe said they urge the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to intervene.

“We call on the Premier to intervene and assist us. We are suffering and that effect of COVID-19 has brought difficulties in our lives as artists. The best thing that could happen is for the whole funding process to be audited.  

“This will bring transparency and understanding to us. We would like to know how many artists were paid, who are those artists, and how much they were paid,” he said.

Ganyesa-born artist, Kagiso “Dusty Lerole” Segapo said: “We are despondent regarding the whole funding process. It cannot be passable that out of 300 applicants only 17 being approved. We know that there are some wrongdoings taking place at the department and I am a victim.

“There was a Raise A Flag project that was in partnership with the department. So far, more than 100 artists are being owed over R2 million. We worked there for three months and no one has been paid yet.”

Segapo who hosts a 16 June Annual Bash in Ganyesa, said he had applied for fund relief, but the department has allegedly cancelled his application because he has another contract at schools.

“I am not happy because I have just signed the current contract way after I applied for the COVID-19 relief fund. I started in September 2020 with this contract and I owe many artists who were supposed to come and perform at my event.

“As artists in the Dr Ruth Mompati District, we will embark on a peaceful protest and demand answers from the department’s top officials. Those officials are corrupt and we do not need them in public offices because they allow embezzlement and fraud to flourish under their watch,” said Segapo.

Meanwhile, the MEC for the department, Virginia Tlhapi said the department has previously made a call to artists, events managers, athletes, promoters, coaches and athletes, technical support to apply for relief fund. Tlhapi said the aim of the relief fund was to mitigate against the negative impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are well aware that the process has taken longer to complete and our people have been waiting and are disgruntled.  The department is happy to announce that the first batch of payments has been done on the 6 November 2020. 

“The second batch has been processed and will be paid shortly. The payments to artists are done through Mmabana Arts, Culture & Sport Foundation and for athletes through the North  West Academy of Sport,” she said.

Tlhapi added that the final outcome for the Covid-19 relief fund will be communicated soon through various media platforms and directly to applicants. She said artists are further informed that their applications for the Covid-19 relief fund, whether successful or not, has no bearing on their application for funding at Mmabana.

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