Ramaphosa warns against R28 million SAMAs budget

Ramaphosa warns against R28 million SAMAs budgetPresident Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned KZN economic development MEC Siboniso Duma against using taxpayers' money for the SAMAs.

by Nokuthula Ngcobo

25-10-2023 10:15

in Entertainment

President Cyril Ramaphosa claims that the government is forming effective alliances for expansion and job creation. Image: X/PresidencyZA

President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the president has cautioned ANC KwaZulu Natal Chairperson and MEC for Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Siboniso Duma against the planned splurge of R28 million on the South African Music Awards (SAMAs).

--

Earlier this month, the organisers of the hotly awards show confirmed KZN as the new host for the next three years with the Durban ICC as this year's host for next month's ceremony.

ALSO READ: Durban becomes new SAMAs home

RAMAPHOSA IS AGAINST SPENDING R28M ON SAMAS Magwenya said that on Tuesday, Ramaphosa made a telephone call to Duma advising him to not move forward with the public funding of the Samas.

--

In MEC's report to premiers, the president does not get involved in the day-to-day running of provincial departments. However, the president did advise MEC Duma against such spending in the interest of maintaining fiscal discipline, Magwenya said.

ALSO READ: SAMAs behind schedule due to financial issues

ACTIONSA'S LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT This comes after ActionSA provincial leader Zwakele Mcwango's letter to Ramaphosa about about the splurging of taxpayers' money on the SAMAs.

--

Our objection to the EDTEA's plan to splurge R28m on the Samas is rooted in the department's intention to divert funds from other programmes, which lacks fiscal justification and is not in compliance with the necessary approval process from the provincial legislature.

ALSO READ: Author threatens to sue SAMAs for killing' him

Mncwango added that he was concerned that eThekwini Municipality Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, had also planned to sponsor another R25m million on the Samas.

ActionSA is deeply concerned that the cash-strapped KZN Provincial Government and eThekwini Municipality would deem it appropriate to fund a R53 million vanity project rather than prioritise investment in the recovery efforts of a Province still grappling with the devastating aftermath of the July 2021 Riots and the April 2022 Floods, Mncwango wrote to Ramaphosa.

ALSO READ: They represent a looted SOE': Zakes Bantwini slams SAMAs

Duma will brief the media on Wednesday about the matter. His department has previously claimed it will spend R20 million which it said will have a return on investment of around R350 million.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY NOKUTHULA NGCOBO

Is jy Afrikaans? Kliek hier vir nuus in jou taal!

LINK:	https://www.thesouthafrican.com/culture/entertainment/breaking-ramapho...
	See more stories from thesouthafrican

Most recent headlines