The IFP says it wants answers from the KZN Department of Arts and Culture as to why the Port Shepstone Maritime Museum is still not functional, almost a year after it was completed.
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This follows a series of articles in the Herald after this concern was raised by Port Shepstone residents.
IFP Member of the Provincial Legislature and Arts and Culture Portfolio spokesman, Princess Buthelezi said in a statement that the IFP was very concerned over what seemed to be the ‘wasteful expenditure’ of public funds on the museum.
“It’s really a shame because it is not benefiting taxpayers or Ugu residents,” read the statement, which went on to say that it was ‘very concerning’ that public funds were being spent on unused government facilities, which served no purpose.
The statement added that the party wanted answers from the MEC of Arts and Culture, who was called upon to explain why the museum was not functional and indicate when it would be handed over to the community.
The IFP also pointed out in the statement: “Even Ray Nkonyeni Municipality’s municipal manager, Max Mbili has said that council had made several requests for the Department of Arts and Culture to officially hand over the building, but that the department had not yet done so. It is an absurd situation and cannot be allowed to continue.”
Although staff, including security personnel, report to the museum daily, the facility is not yet open to the public.
Ray Nkonyeni Municipality said it was still waiting for the go-ahead from the Department of Arts and Culture before it could start making use of the building.
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