The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation concluded its phase one of Relief Fund distribution to all qualifying applicants as per the Gauteng Audit Services (GAS) approved list. This is in line with good governance and ensuring that Relief Funds are disbursed to the correct individuals.
Those rejected by Gauteng Audit Services (GAS) due to missing
documentation have accordingly been notified and contacted by the Department and advised to submit urgently. These will be integrated into the second phase of applications.
To this end, the deadline for the second phase of applications was the 30th of October (Friday) and the adjudication committee together with Gauteng Audit Services (GAS) will be sitting to go through the thousands of applications received and advise on the list of qualifying beneficiaries to be paid in the second phase.
Phase 1 of the Gauteng Relief Fund saw a low number of applicants and this necessitated roadshows by MEC Mbali Hlophe to all regions as a way of raising awareness about the Relief Fund to communities. Thse were done from 12 – 19th October 2020, to ensure the department attracts a wider pool of applicants even those unaffiliated to any structures. This has resulted in thousands submitting before the deadline of the 30th of October 20.
There has been some frustration expressed by some artists, related to the speed at which the process is unfolding. Whilst noting these, the department remains committed to ensuring the aid is distributed accordingly as required by PFMA and good governance. These remain public funds and every cent must be accounted for, hence processes are put in place to ensure accountability in the form of the adjudication panel, appeals panel and GAS as the overall overseer.
We thank the Sports Council and the Cultural & Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) for working closely with the Department from the very beginning of the process and sharply raising concerns of their stakeholders as and when they arise. They importantly also ensured we reach as many sport and art community practitioners as possible who so require the aid.
With phase1 finalized, and the closing date for the second phase having passed on the 30th of October 20, the Departmental processes of adjudication will now ensue as overseen by Gauteng Audit Services (GAS).
With the recent news that we may still be experiencing increasing numbers of Covid19 infections, we urge that you continue to respect alert level 1 health regulations and always wear your mask, wash your hands with sanitizer and keep a social distance. We can only beat the spread of the coronavirus if we work together.
INFO SUPPLIED BY THE DEPARTMENT.
