The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Mr Gayton Mckenzie, has denied claims that he is deliberately sabotaging boards of entities that report to his department so he could staff them with his political friends.
Minister McKenzie led a strong departmental delegation to accompany the National Film and Video Foundation, which made a presentation on its annual performance plan and the challenges it faces.
Committee member Mr Eugene Mthethwa had alleged that Minister McKenzie was galvanising the sector for his own political power. “You are deliberately destabilising the entities under your department for your own purpose. The National Arts Council (NAC) has someone on suspension for 21 months. It is the same in all entities under your department,” he claimed.
“What you have done is not honest; you always quote the Bible when speaking in public; be honest and do the right things. Allow the public to comment on names of people you put to serve on boards.”
Minister McKenzie denied the allegation and said there was no legislative provision that requires him to put out names of those people appointed to serve on boards.
“You do not have questions, but insults. There is no act that says I must open up names to the public. You come here to insult me and my religion as well as my political party,” the Minister said.
He urged committee members to note the different legislative requirements that apply to acting executives and those that were appointed permanently. He also noted that it is pure coincidence that individuals are serving on more than one board. This is not against the law, he also asserted.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Joe McGluwa, urged members to send through any additional questions they may have for the minister. “The questions should still be posed and in terms of the dispute and the rebuttal on the law. I invite members to come up with proof on the things they want to challenge the minister on related to appointments, disputes, and allegations,” he said.
Sibongile Maputi
4 September 2025
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