R3.6 million spent, yet choirs remain unpaid

Staff Reporter

Bloemfontein – The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation is under growing scrutiny as service providers remain unpaid months after millions were disbursed, raising serious concerns of mismanagement and financial misconduct.

The Department paid BOM LTD (PTY) Ltd R3.2 million in June 2025, and R400 000 in March 2026, yet choirs and a logistics company have not received payment, sparking questions about how public funds were handled.

A choir representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, described a pattern of empty promises and constant delays.

“Yes, I can confirm we took part in the clap and tap competition, and we have not been paid.

Every time we inquire, we are told ‘next Monday’. We are tired of asking.”

Another choir representative said they were assured payment would follow the release of R400,000, funds they believe have already been processed.

Mpho Ndwandwe of Ndwandwe Transport, who transported 45 choir members, says his R21,600 invoice remains unpaid, leaving him to deal with the fallout.

“I am now fighting with people because I booked their cars.”

In a voice note sent to Ndwandwe, King Davis claimed that all service providers had been paid except those in transport, a claim contradicted by multiple affected parties still waiting for payment.

The involvement of Ntho Ya Kasi Entertainment icommunicating with service providers, despite unclear contractual links, raises further questions about who is responsible and who is being held accountable.

PFMA violation
While the FSPACC reports directly to the MEC, financial management falls under an administrator, a blurred line of accountability that now sits at the centre of the controversy.

The Public Finance Management Act is clear: public funds must be properly managed, and service providers must be paid within prescribed timeframes.

Section 11 of PACC act gives the HOD and Department total control of all administrative responsibilities not the political head.

Failure to do so may constitute a serious breach of financial governance.

WAS MEC DIRECTLY INVOLVED BRING BOM TO FS?
Sifuba, MEC for DSACR admitted during the gala dinner that she was introduced to BOM by former Deputy Minister.

“I spoke to a former Deputy Minister at DSAC, I said I want to rescucitate choral music. What do I do and he said there is a company that is good in doing that.”

A concept was presented to me, what I liked about the concept, it was not talking about calling on Saturday or Sunday, give them foood and they leave. It also included skills transfers.”

This links MEC direct to BOM and she hand picked it.

R3.6 million later the very same choirs have not been paid.

If DSACR paid R3.6 million and choirs and choirs have not been paid, what did BOM use the money for?

As frustration grows among unpaid service providers, the silence from those entrusted with public funds is becoming louder, and harder to ignore.

Sidney Qoqonga, CEO of BOM LTD (PTY) Ltd did not respond to questions at the time of publication.

This is a developing story as MTN, Old Mutual and Metropolitan contributed towards clap and tap.

Next week we will in Kugombo covering the sentencing of Julius Malema.

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