DA blocked from oversight at Joburg Art Gallery

19 November 2024

Today, the DA Shadow MMC of Community Development, Cllr Lyrics Mazibuko and Andrew de Blocq MP, conducted an oversight visit to the Johannesburg Art Gallery, but were denied access by the Director of Arts and Culture, Mr Vuyisile Mshudulu - allegedly on instruction from the newly appointed MMC of Community Development, Cllr Tebogo Nkoukou.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg strongly condemns the alleged interference by the MMC Of Community Development, Cllr Nkokou, in the constitutional oversight duties of public representatives.

In a blatant attempt to censor councillors, the City of Johannesburg Spokesperson arrived on site before the oversight was due to commence, barring councillors from entering certain areas of the gallery.

During the oversight, employees would not answer questions from councillors or the media and further refused that photographs of the horrendous state of the museum be taken.

While service delivery collapses across the metro, valuable artworks worth hundreds of millions of rands are in danger of being damaged, or destroyed.

The DA will be reporting our findings to the Section 79 Committee. We will also report this interference by the Executive in legislative work to the Speaker of Council.

We also urge the Cooperative Governance and Traditional affairs Parliamentary oversight committee, which will be working in Johannesburg on Thursday, 21 November 2024 to challenge the City of Johannesburg’s officials to disclose under what legislation or law they may now deny access to elected public representatives to City facilities for oversight.

The DA fights for transparency and accountability, and will not allow this dictatorial behaviour to become the norm in Johannesburg.

Issued by Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, DA Johannesburg