Free State Government’s celebration of the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s life at the museum built in her honour in Brandfort has been cancelled until further notice. The provincial government announced this morning the decision to cancel today’s event.
The celebration had been planned to tie into Heritage Day celebrations and to coincide with Madikizela-Mandela’s birthday of 26 September. This iconic president of the ANC Women’s League died on 2 April 2018, at age 82.
The town of Brandfort became Madikizela-Mandela’s home following her banishment to the Majwemasweu township from 1977 to 1984 by the regime which sought to silence her due to her political influence.
No reason for the cancellation of today’s event has been provided.
This comes barely five days after the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in the Free State and Gauteng arrested six persons, who include government officials, in connection with “missing” funds that had been meant for the construction of the museum.
Individuals arrested, plus two companies, briefly appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday (21/09). They face charges ranging from fraud, corruption and money laundering to the contravention of the Public Finance Management Act and contravention of the Municipal Management Act.
The suspects are: Humphrey Tsoarelo Malakoane (56), former head of the provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, currently holding the same position at the Department of Education; Nontsikelelo Eunice Aaron (55), former municipal manager the Lejweleputswa District Municipality; Lebogang Aubrey Sebeela (47), former director of supply chain management at the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation; Monyane Matthews Sefantse (53), former municipal manager of the Lejweleputswa District Municipality, now holding the same position at the Nketoane Local Municipality; Errens Lodewikus Celliers (80); and Sithiwe Thubane (47), a company director. The companies in question are Architect in Amalgamation and Architect Celliers Greyvenstein Close Corporation.
The suspects were granted bail of R20 000 each – except for Aaron, who was granted R3 000 bail and Celliers who was granted R10 000 bail.
The case has been postponed to 11 November for the tracing of outstanding suspects.
