Question NW969 to the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture”
04 October 2019 - NW969
Van Dyk, Ms V to ask the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture”
(1). What is the current status of the investigation into the complaints received from the SA Roadies Association (SARA) against the National Arts Council in respect of the alleged failure of the Council to award SARA a grant based on the policy relating to expired grants and surplus funds; (2). whether he instituted any forensic audits to investigate the complaints; if so, (a) who conducted the audits, (b) what were the outcomes of each audit and (c) will he furnish Mrs V van Dyk with copies of the outcomes of the audits; (3). with reference to the alleged fake funding proposal received from the SARA, (a) how was it discovered that the proposal was fake, (b) in whose name was the proposal, (c) who created the proposal and (d) what steps have been taken to address the fake funding proposal. NW2123E
Reply:
1. The two reports submitted by the Business Innovations Group (BIG) and Gobodo Forensic and Investigation Accounting (GIFA) concluded that Mr Nyathela’s allegations were unfounded and that the NAC acted within its policy.
2. Yes, I instituted two investigations,
(a). The audits were conducted by independent firms: Gobodo Forensics and Investigation Group (GIFA)and Business Innovations Group (BIG).
(b). Both the BIG and the GFIA audits concluded that Mr Nyathela’s allegations were unfounded and that the NAC acted within its policy.
(c). Yes, copies of the audit outcomes are available and marked as confidential and not for distribution, but can be furnished to the honourable member upon request.
3.(a). The was no evidence to suggest that the NAC staff members were involved in any irregularities involving the grant funding application submitted by SARA.