Sol Plaatje must turn streetlights on for festive season
| by Ofentse Mokae, MPL – DA Northern Cape Provincial Spokesperson on Sport, Arts & Culture |
| Date: 08 September 2020 |
| Release: Immediate |
| Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbites in English & Afrikaans from Ofentse Mokae, MPL.The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Northern Cape is deeply concerned about the mismanagement of public funds in the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture amidst renewed allegations made against the shady Head of Department (HOD), Ruth Palm.Recent reports reveal that the Hawks and the Public Protector’s Office are, yet again, investigating payments made by this department for Human Rights Day Celebrations in March this year. The DA is questioning the validity of these payments, as this financial year commenced with the country being placed under hard lockdown from mid-March, when the Coronavirus pandemic took hold of the country.After a report by the Public Protector last year found Palm guilty of approving a payment of R1 million in 2016, to the Traffic Events Company for one of a series of three events that never took place in 2017, we called on the former MEC for this department, Bernice Sinxeve, to ensure that state funds are accounted and that previously fingered suspects, including Palm, are dealt with accordingly to avoid further maladministration.To date we see no action. Instead, this is now the third very serious claim made against Palm in her capacity as a senior departmental official. In 2012, Palm was implicated in a case involving the defrauding the Department of Roads and Public Works of more than R47 million.The DA is concerned that Palm is still occupying her office, albeit virtually, after all these serious allegations made against her. We will submit a letter to the current MEC for this department, Desiree Fienies, to remind her that PFMA Section 83 (4) states that financial misconduct is grounds for dismissal or suspension.The DA further demands to know why this department has become a free-for-all institution, where it is so easy to steal public funds with zero accountability and nobody standing up to stop the high-level thieving that persists at the expense of service delivery.This department needs a complete overhaul to ensure that all rotten apples are removed. Public funds need to be protected at all times, especially while we are all trying to cope under the demands of the Coronavirus, and further ramped up corruption. |
| Media Enquiries |
| Ofentse Mokae, MPLDA Northern Cape Provincial Spokesperson on Sport, Arts & Culture076 108 3264 Chrystal FrancisResearcher079 2260 991 |
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