KZN MEC for Sport and Art and Culture Amanda Bani-Mapena surprised many when she resigned on Wednesday, 12 April after spending only eight months in office.
But it is not over as the dark cloud is still hovering over her and her department.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KZN is demanding answers over the department’s alleged R4 million "booze-fuelled bash" that happened earlier in April 2023 at the Durban ICC.
According to DA KZN spokesman on sport, art, and culture Bradley Singh, the department hosted the event at a Durban nightclub.
He said it was hosted under the name of festival where officials, staff, their families and guests were allegedly presented with alcohol vouchers of up to R6 000 each.
"The function, which was hosted at a well-known Morningside nightclub, was held under the guise of a so-called signature event - the Multi-Genre Music Festival and Festival of Beads.
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"It was allegedly funded by the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. To make matters worse, some staff who attended the event have claimed that they had to phone friends to come and help them consume up to R6 000 worth of alcohol each," he said.
A source at the department claimed the MEC was pushed to resign because she had not been performing for a long time, and the recent festival added fuel to the fire.
Singh said it was believed that the event could be one of the reasons for the untimely resignation of Bani-Mapena as the MEC.
"This three-day event was supposed to empower previously disadvantaged groups and promote the development of SMMEs in creative and cultural heritage spaces.
"It must be fully investigated, and the accounting officer must explain to the people of KZN how taxpayers' money could be spent on free-for-all booze-ups," he said.
Department of Art and Culture spokesman Nathi Olifant said the department refuted the allegation that the event was a waste of funds.
He said as part of executing its mandate of creating opportunities for the sport, arts and culture sectors, adding that the department hosted the Multi-Genre Music Festival in conjunction with the Craft and Beads Festival known as the Signature event from 31 March to 2 April.
"These events, first introduced in 2022, aim to provide opportunity for the arts and culture sectors in South Africa, supporting their recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2021 civil unrest, as well as the economic downturn.
“Funding for the festival came from a conditional grant provided by the National Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and voted funds," said Oliphant.
He said the total of the event was about R3,4 million, which directly benefited the artists.
Oliphant said other related expenses such as the venue hire would be finalised when payment processes are concluded.
"The event held, at The View in Morningside, was for performing artists in the house, hip-hop, amapiano, gqom and kwaito genres.
"Because of safety and security measures, especially due to the size of the venue, guests were issued with tags for access and meals, he said.
