Sports Awards: Is Razzmatazz covering up the ceremony's full cost?
14 October 2014
A reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that the 2013/14 Sports Awards, held on the 17th of November 2013, cost the taxpayer R17.9 million.
The reply also shows that R3 026 000 was spent on prize money for nominees and recipients of the 2013 Awards. This is only 17% of the actual R17.9 million that was spent on the awards that year.
The prize money accounts for a fraction of the total cost of the sports awards. What is of great concern is that the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Fikile Mbalula, elected to not answer most of the questions posed by the DA about the full expenditure on the awards. Questions on the lavish excesses of the ceremony remain unanswered.
As such, the DA will now file a Promotion to Access of Information (PAIA) application to assess whether procurement procedures were properly followed and establish a detailed breakdown of the actual full costs of expenses incurred at the Sports Awards ceremony.
In his reply, Minister Mbalula failed to outline the breakdown of costs regarding venue décor, fees for the master of ceremonies and lavish entertainment at the ceremony.
Given Fikile "Razzmatazz" Mbalula's history and self-declared penchant for mega luxurious events, the unavoidable conclusion is that he is attempting to conceal the real costs of these Sports Awards. It is high time that he accounts for his expenditure.
While the DA recognizes the need to celebrate the achievements of our athletes, it need not be at the expense of the development of young sporting talent which should be the primary focus of this Department, and it's spending of available funds.
It is vitally important that money is not being used for the enrichment and enjoyment of a few when so many disadvantaged South Africans desperately need government to support, nurture and develop their talents.
The DA will utilise all the tools at its disposal to ensure Parliament exercises its due oversight, and will pursue our PAIA application to its conclusion.
Statement issued by Solly Malatsi MP, DA Shadow Minister of Sports and Recreation, October 14 2014
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