The inquiry was on a break for the past two weeks, during which time The Presidency and the Democratic Alliance were in the Constitutional Court to challenge a high court decision overturning Mkhwebane’s suspension.
National Arts Council surplus policy ‘breaks Act’
6 May 2021
Improper: Artists protest against the National Arts Council and the sports, arts and culture department over stimulus funds. (Photo: Brenton Geach/Gallo Images)
As the dispute between the National Arts Council and the artists who applied for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP) rages on, details of council funding irregularities that date back to 2015 are emerging.
Two reports, one from 2016 and another from 2020, have indicated that a council policy used to disburse funding is in violation of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and treasury regulations. Yet the policy remains in place and Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa appears to have taken no action.