Public Protector to conclude Gayton McKenzie probe next month

Complaint filed by SA Roadies Association

- By Bongani Mdakane

The Office of the Public Protector (PP) has promised to conclude before end of August the investigation into allegations that Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie was blocking funding to the South African Roadies Association (Sara).

Association president Freddie Nyathela had filed a complaint against McKenzie, alleging that the minister used “false and slanderous accusations” that Sara had embezzled a R20-million grant it received from the department before he could take over.

According to Nyathela, the drama started in July last year when McKenzie accused the vocal Sara boss of embezzlement during a creative industry workshop at Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg in August last year.