The IFP has raised serious concerns about the wasteful expenditure of public funds spent on the unused Port Shepstone Maritime Museum built by the KZN Department of Arts and Culture. The state-of-the-art museum stands deserted and is an empty shell of very little use to anyone.
“Although the R17 million museum was completed last year, it is still not operational. This museum is part of a number of projects unveiled by the KZN MEC of Arts and Culture, Bongi Sithole-Moloi in 2016, that were to start within uGu District Municipality. They included the construction of a library in Vulamehlo, the extension and refurbishing of Port Shepstone Library and building a maritime museum. The museum features a state-of-the-art amphitheatre, accommodating 50 to 60 people, an exhibition area, archive storerooms, ablutions for disabled people, a boardroom with electronic conference facilities, two offices, 11 surveillance cameras and a cleaner’s room. It’s really a shame to have it as it is not beneficial to taxpayers and uGu residents,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Arts and Culture, Princess Phumzile Buthelezi MPL.
“As the IFP we are very concerned about the abuse of public funds spent on unused government facilities, which they serve no purpose. The Port Shepstone Museum project has become a white elephant. It seems as if the projects were built for the ruling party to gain votes during 2016 local government elections. We seek answers from the MEC of Arts and Culture into why this museum is not functional and when it will be handed over to the community? Public funds were spent in this project therefore it must fulfil its intended purpose,” continued Princess Buthelezi.
“Even the Ray Nkonyeni Municipal Manager, Max Mbili has stated that the municipal council had made several requests for the department of arts and culture to officially hand over the building to them but the department has not yet done so. It is an absurd situation and cannot be allowed to continue. As the IFP we want to see all government facilities built on taxpayer’s money being operational and helping the people of KwaZulu-Natal.
We are concerned about the ANC government’s wasteful expenditure as many of its leaders and MEC’s have a “frivolous attitude” towards spending taxpayers’ money. Empty government buildings are not just costly eyesores, they are also public hazards as criminals tend to vandalise and occupy them,” concluded Princess Buthelezi.
Issued by:
Princess Phumzile Buthelezi MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Arts and Culture
073 216 0918
