DA calls for a forensic investigation into MEC Hlophe’s R2,5 million DSTV Delicious International Food and Music Festival
18 February 2021
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is not surprised to learn that the Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Mbali Hlophe is alleged to have directly influenced the department to spend R2,5 million on the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival.
The DA has been reliably informed that the DStv Delicious International Food and Music Festival was not budgeted for nor was it part of the department’s programme.
It is alleged that MEC Hlophe brokered the deal and directly negotiated with DStv. The meeting was supposedly held at a certain Sandton restaurant, with the owner of the restaurant also offered a tender to provide catering services without following proper procurement processes.
It is also alleged that the initial budgeting cost for the festival was R2 million and the R500 000 was only paid a night before the festival. The procurement was handled directly by the MEC and her office.