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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has today, approached the South African Police Services’ Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) Commercial Crimes Unit in Johannesburg to request it to probe the theft allegations against Nhlululo Development.

Nhlululo Development, a service provider appointed by the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR), failed to transfer R180 000 meant to assist the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute with a coaching clinic and capacity building.

Nhlululo Development has disappeared with the money and now the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute is struggling to offer rugby programmes and nurture grassroots development.

This institution is in financial crisis and in dire need of funds to continue rendering rugby development programmes.

We suspect that there could be corrupt officials involved because the department has been hesitant to investigate this matter.

The DA has approached the Hawks for an urgent investigation into the matter. We will be submitting all the necessary documents to investigate the case.

We have also tabled written questions to the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Mbali Hlophe, to ascertain the procedures that were used to appoint Nhlululo Development and to determine what measures the department has taken to ensure that the money is paid to the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute.

The DA will not rest until this matter is investigated. Those found guilty must pay back every cent to the Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute, face the full might of the law and be blacklisted so that they can no longer do business with government.

Issued by Kingsol Chabalala MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR)