This follows the much publicised gig The Hang Awt restaurant in Tembisa, on how it got a nod to host a cook-off event attended by then minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and Somizi Mhlongo on Monday 17 May 2021?
Now the PSC wants answers from Ashley Raphala better known as DJ Shimza, who is also a philanthropist, on how he bagged the deal since he does not appear on the service provider data list, amongst others.
A PSC letter has been sent to the new minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu, on the investigations to be unheralded.
PSC commissioner Dr Bruno Luthuli confirmed this in a letter sent to tourism minister Lindiwe Sisulu on 20 October, according to the Sowetan.
The investigation comes after a complaint was reportedly made through South Africa’s anti-corruption hotline.
“It is alleged that the tender was irregularly awarded as DJ Shimza was not registered on the department’s database of service providers and that normal procurement regulations were not contravened as other service providers that are registered on the database were not considered.”
Athi Geleba, head of digital communications in the Presidency, and girlfriend to Shimza, is rumoured to have been involved in the deal.
In his response the DJ said the tourism department visited his restaurant to express their interest in hosting their event.
“As The Hang Awt, we don’t know what the internal discussions were for them to land at that decision to use our venue for the programme,” he was quoted.
“No bidding was requested from us; we received a booking through the phone and availed the venue as requested by the department – the same way we would for any booking made,” said Raphala.
Speaking to this reporter, the relaxed DJ Shimza said I was only made aware of such talk about the investigations by my girlfriend, to my surprise.
“To tell the truth, from my side I’m clean and nothing untoward or breached any conduct. They should have at least contacted me personally instead of using other platforms to address me,” he said in response to whether he was approached or made aware of investigations by the PSC?
Image (DJ Shimza to PSC- bring it on).
