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The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Arts and Culture (DoAC) has again come under the spotlight following the discovery that R7.9 million was spent on laptops for the public, which were instead given to departmental librarians and staff.

A total of 266 laptops, which include computer towers, screens, keyboards and computer mouses, were procured by the DoAC from a single company. Of these, 200 were initially purchased for frequent library users. (view here) The balance – 66 laptops – were to be used by departmental staff.(view here)

It has now come to the DA’s attention that the DoAC then backtracked on this initial plan – allegedly out of fear that the laptops purchased for public use might be stolen – and instead decided to only distribute them to librarians. This is yet another instance of blatant lack of service delivery.

The amount of money spent on laptops is yet another concern given that it is almost eight times the market price. It is possible to buy a laptop for R4 000 but, in this case, laptops were procured by the DoAC at a unit price of more than R29 000 each excl vat.

While the DA is no longer surprised by the conduct displayed by this Department, we remain extremely disappointed that despite scandal after scandal, Premier Sihle Zikalala has failed to act against MEC Hlengiwe Mavimbela.

Today, we reiterate our call on the Premier to immediately remove this MEC. Failing this, he must be held accountable for her dismal performance and lack of commitment in ensuring clean audits and proper services to our communities.

The DA also reiterates its call for the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to conduct a full probe into this Department, particularly when it comes to irregular expenditure.

We remain committed to rooting out corruption within the DoAC and to ensuring fairness and transparency when it comes to the spending of public money.

Issued by Bradley Singh, MPL - DA KZN Spokesperson on Arts and Culture