AG should investigate waste of R65 million on festival

21 September 2014

The DA will request Auditor General, Kimi Makwethu, to investigate the City of Tshwane's R65 million TribeOne Festival, following reports today that the elaborate three-day gig was cancelled on Thursday (see City Press report).  

This is a gross mismanagement of public funds as it reported that some of the funds are nonrefundable. American performer, Nicki Minaj, was paid a nonrefundable appearance fee of R10 million that will not be recovered if the festival is cancelled. 

Reports suggest that a number of artists were refusing to perform at the festival as they have not been paid. 

There seems to be serious problems with the planning and execution of the event. R25 million alone was spent on paying performing artists, yet some have not yet received any money. The City spent an additional R40 million to prepare the stage and other infrastructure needed for the performance. 

This is a clear contradiction of COGTA Minister, Pravin Gordhan's, new ‘back to basics' campaign. Spending R65 million on a music festival is not going back to basics. Spending so much money on this event leaves fewer resources to spend on basic service delivery needs like housing, roads and community safety. 

My colleagues in the Provincial Legislature will pressure the Gauteng Local Government MEC, Jacob Mamabolo, to hold the relevant officials in Tshwane to account.

Statement issued by Kevin Mileham MP, DA Shadow Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, September 21 2014

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