Renowned musician Arthur Mafokate finds himself entangled in a potential investigation for tender fraud.
Arthur Mafokate tender fraud: Here’s everything we know
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised concerns about alleged double dipping during the 2015/2016 financial year, involving funding received by Mafokate’s company, 999 Music, for providing entertainment at a New Year’s Eve party.
Here’s everything we know so far:
The Controversial New Year’s Eve Party
The City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation funded the New Year’s Eve party in 2015, organised by Arthur Mafokate’s 999 Music company.
The event showcased a star-studded lineup of artists, including Black Coffee, Mafikizolo, Chomee, CiCi, DJ Zinhle, Busiswa, and others.
The DA has demanded an investigation into Mafokate’s company for allegedly receiving payments from both the city and the Sports, Arts, and Culture Department. The call for scrutiny was tabled as a question during the Gauteng Legislature session on 7 July 2023.
Double Payment Revealed
In response to the DA’s query, Kingsol Chabalala, a Member of the Provincial Legislature and DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, disclosed that 999 Music received R1 million directly from the department, despite not having a Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Johannesburg.
The city itself had paid 999 Music a sum of R711 000 for the same New Year’s Eve Party.
The revelation is further complicated by conflicting statements from the department and the city. While the department confirmed its partnership with the city, the city denied such an arrangement.
DA’s Demands and Concerns
The DA expressed deep concern over the double payment to 999 Music, asserting that an investigation is imperative.
The opposition party demanded that Mafokate’s company refund the money received from the department. Additionally, they called for disciplinary action against officials involved in the alleged double payment.
The DA further highlighted that such misuse of funds could have been directed towards critical public services like maintaining heritage sites, libraries, and sporting facilities.
Mafokate’s legal woes pile on
This recent investigation request adds to Mafokate’s legal troubles. He is already embroiled in a Lotteries Fund fraud case, where five of his properties were seized by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
The SIU discovered that five NGOs, including those linked to Mafokate, received grant funding of approximately R56.3 million for various projects.
Regarding the latest tender fraud allegations, Mafokate did not reply to our requests for comment.