Johannesburg – Kwaito Musician Arthur Mafokate has been accused of unfairly getting paid twice – totalling R1,7 million – for the same New Year’s Eve gig several years ago.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng on Tuesday demanded an investigation into payments to 999 Music, owned by Mafokate after it emerged that both the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation paid for the same gig.
The payments were made during the 2015/2016 financial year.
DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation Kingsol Chabalala MPL said: “Artists in Gauteng are struggling to make ends meet, yet one company has received payment twice for rendering the same service”.
Chabalala said 999 Music was awarded the tender to provide entertainment at the New Year’s Eve party at Mary Fitzgerald Square in 2015.
The matter recently came to light in a reply to the DA’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature.
It was revealed that the department did not have a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Johannesburg.
“Instead, 999 Music was paid a sum of one million rand directly,” said Chabalala.
“The department paid this money to 999 Music despite not being a partner in the event hosted by the City of Johannesburg.”
While the department said it had partnered with the City of Johannesburg, the City is denying this Chabalala said.
“This is worrying as the City of Johannesburg paid 999 Music a total of R711 000 for the New Year’s Eve Party,” said Chabalala.
“An investigation must be launched into 999 Music to determine why this company was paid twice for the same service rendered during the 2015/2016 financial year.”
Chabalala said the DA is demanding that 999 Music pay back the one million rand paid to them by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation.
“In addition, the officials involved in the double payment to 999 Music must face disciplinary action,” said Chabalala.
“It is unacceptable that an entertainment company receives compensation twice for the same service.
“This money could have been used to maintain our heritage sites, libraries, and sporting facilities.
“Our residents deserve a government that ensures that all the supply chain management procedures are followed when paying service providers.”
The Bulrushes could not reach Mafokate for comment. His comments will be included as soon as possible.
