The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture in Limpopo has pledged full co-operation with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) as it begins a corruption and maladministration investigation into the department’s operations.

Department spokesperson Jermina Kaka told Polokwane Observer that the department welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent proclamation authorising the investigation.

“We acknowledge, welcome, and fully support this as an opportunity to promote transparency and accountability,” Kaka said.

The SIU probe will examine allegations that the department’s security services contracts were awarded without fairness, competitiveness, transparency, or cost-effectiveness, allegedly in violation of legislation and policies. These irregularities are suspected of resulting in unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure.

The investigation will also cover maladministration, including the irregular hiring of staff across all five districts: Waterberg, Sekhukhune, Vhembe, Capricorn, and Mopani.

Particular attention will be paid to the appointment process for the position of assistant director: Asset management, as per circular 7 of 2016.

“We are prepared to engage further with the SIU and will provide any information or support needed throughout the investigation,” Kaka said.

“The department is committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance and service delivery for the people of Limpopo. Our focus is to ensure that any wrongdoing is addressed and that operations continue ethically and effectively.”

The scope of the investigation includes financial irregularities, such as payments made for services that were either not rendered or not owed. The probe will also scrutinise financial activities related to the 2016/17 Mapungubwe Arts, Culture and Heritage Festival.

The SIU’s mandate covers alleged misconduct and improper conduct dating from January 1, 2011, to October 4. However, it may also investigate relevant activities that occurred before January 2011 or after the proclamation date.

Opposition react

DA Member of the Legislature Franco Marx stated that the citizens of the province deserve clean governance and ethical leadership.

“This investigation will reveal long-awaited information about a period where there had been suspicion and allegations of corrupt activities in the department. In 2017, a draft report by Limpopo’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts recommended that Provincial Treasury appoint a forensic investigation into all income and expenditure relating to the 2017 Mapungubwe Arts Festival,” he said.

Meanwhile, EFF Limpopo chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo said they were ‘very shocked, but not shocked’.

“We have been saying this all along and we will be relieved when people are arrested and shown the door. We want the SIU to recover all the money that was spent irregularly.”