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The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) welcomes the long overdue removal of Sport, Arts and Culture Department Head of Department (HOD), Ntokozo Chonco.

On 26 August, Mr Chonco received notice regarding the termination of his employment contract. On 15 September he received a letter from new KZN Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube, requesting that he immediately vacate his post. This despite seven weeks remaining until the end of his contract.

The DA is pleased to note that Mr Chonco has finally received his marching orders. We have long raised our concerns over mismanagement and allegedly fraudulent activities within the Department. This while the former HOD turned a blind eye.

Chonco’s dismissal also comes after former Premier, Sihle Zikalala failed to act despite ongoing damning information submitted by the DA, as far back as 2019, which points to KZN’s people being robbed by this individual and his cronies. The Audit-General (AG) also has numerous findings against Chonco and his Department.

While the former HOD has now been removed, there are still many criminal investigations opened by the DA against him. At this stage, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) are probing the allegations, which also extend to other senior departmental officials.

Mr Chonco’s removal bodes well for the future operational functionality of this Department. The DA will, however, continue to keep a close watch on his replacement to ensure that there is not a repetition of such incidents.

The DA remains committed to working tirelessly to ensure that corruption and fraudulent activity is rooted out from KZN’s Department if Sports, Arts and Culture.

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