The Independent Development Trust (IDT) is concerned about recent media reports alleging irregularities in the implementation of its projects on behalf of the Department of Arts and Culture. At the centre of these allegations is a forensic report by Gobodo Forensic & Investigative Accounting which is reported to have uncovered various irregularities – including artificial cost inflation and overspending on the project – during the implementation of the eNyokeni Cultural Precinct project in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal.
The Department of Arts and Culture has forwarded the forensic report to the IDT Chairperson, Dr Somadoda Fikeni and CEO, Coceko Pakade, who are now studying it, and would in due course determine a course of action to be taken in response to these findings.
The eNyokeni Cultural Precinct project was one of the projects that the Department of Arts and Culture had contracted the IDT to implement on its behalf as part of its Heritage/Legacy programme spanning four provinces. While the forensic investigation was only conducted with respect to the eNyokeni Cultural Precinct project, the Department has terminated the entire contract for all the Heritage projects and the IDT is now in a process of ceding all the documentation, assets and liabilities to the Department.
Other projects in the programme – some of which have been completed and handed over before the termination of the contract – include the OR Tambo Legacy Project, JL Dube Legacy Projects, Ingquza Hill Museum, Muyexe Library, Arts & Cultural Centre, Winnie Mandela House and Wesleyan Church, Dr JS Moroka house restoration and purchase, Rev Mahabane House and Bram Fischer House.
The IDT is an organisation that has zero tolerance on corruption, and urges the public to report corruption The IDT will cooperate fully with the Department to ensure that any irregularities exposed by the forensic report are dealt with expeditiously.
Anyone having information on any acts of fraud or corruption is urged to anonymously report such to the IDT’s tip-off line, 0800 22 24 64 or e-mail, idt@tip-offs.com, where such a tip-off will be treated with confidentiality and investigated.
ENQUIRIES: Lesego Mashigo, Cell: 073 883 0662 / Tel: 012 845 2088 / Email: lesegoma@idt.org.za
