An independent forensic investigation into allegations of misappropriation of funds to help artists during lockdown has revealed that some applicants received more money than they should have while other artists are still waiting for funds.
The report, commissioned by the government, revealed maladministration and mismanagement in implementing the R300 million Presidential Employment Stimulus Package (PESP) that was announced following the outbreak of Covid-19.
It emerged that some of the funds had allegedly been misappropriated.
The National Arts Council (NAC) then handed over the forensic report to Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
The three-month probe sought to establish how the relief money was irregularly distributed.
“The report clearly identifies the individuals who are to be held accountable,” Mthethwa said during the briefing yesterday.
While the department said the investigation did not find money missing, it did uncover the incompetent manner in which it was managed.
“There are people who got money who were not supposed to get it, but money has not disappeared.
“All the money has been accounted for but we are dealing with the inappropriate benefiting of funds,” Mthethwa said.
He said of the R300m, 5% was retained by the NAC for administration purposes, which left R285m for artists.
Mthethwa said R272m was distributed and “in the pockets” of artists while the NAC was managing the distribution of the balance.
Mthethwa said consequence management processes would be instituted against all those implicated in the report.
He said the process was being categorised into three – council members, senior management and staff.
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