NW Parks contributed to Mahika Mahikeng Festival due to contract

The North West Department of Economic Development has stated that the North West Parks and Tourism was required to contribute R7 million to last year’s Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Festival due to a contractual obligation.

This comes after MEC Bitsa Lenkopane addressed the media following allegations by two former acting CEOs, who spoke out about poor working conditions and persistent interference by Lenkopane.

The former executives informed the legislature’s portfolio committee that they were sidelined and intimidated during their tenure.

However, Lenkopane refuted the claims from acting CEO Charlene Jacobs that there was undue interference.

“The board came here to report about the R45 million that we deposited. And we went out of the country and when we came back she told me about the whole corruption. She gave me this and when I asked her where was she and what did she do – that is when I was told she was on her way. It was in this boardroom, neh? And later on, I was told she had resigned. So I’m still waiting for her but there’s no interference,” says Lenkopane.

The unions say they had enough.

Zanele Lawu on behalf of Nehawu, says, “She does not understand the concept of separation of powers that politicians are not supposed to be involved in issues of administration. Last month, a similar thing happened and MEC went on to the media to say that it’s a myth, the story that employees have not been paid. But to top it all is the fact that the MEC has chopped and changed from September. To date, the entity has had five acting CEOs, with the one that has served the longest being three months.”

Nceba Baardman from the PSA says the MEC must go. “We want the premier to intervene in this problem, to change the MEC because we don’t have trust in the MEC. And also the employees of the entity have lost trust in the MEC.”

Entertainment | Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival: