The Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR) condemned the circulation of false reports of the erection of statues supposedly of the late former ANC president, Oliver Tambo, and former ANC Women’s League president, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.

The department’s spokesperson, Sibongile Nkosi, said in a press statement on Tuesday April 19 that the department is appalled by the false information and warned the authors against the misinformation.

ALSO READ: Radio host tees off to raise money for the underprivileged

“Neither the department nor the provincial government has ever commissioned such statues. As such, we reject any information that suggests spending money on such statues, and the department is yet to determine the location of such statues,”
she said.

Nkosi said that the circulation of false information does not only border on libel, but undermines the image of the department.

“The DCSR is a custodian of arts and heritage in the province. Therefore, the processes of commissioning statues are communicated with all affected stakeholders through established government communication protocols. The fact that information of this nature was never communicated means our provincial government has nothing to do with the statues.”
ALSO READ: Businesses come together to make a difference

She also passed on a warning to the authors. “They must desist from linking the government or should be prepared to face the consequences.”
The origin of these statues are still being probed.