KZN Tourism MEC Duma calls off hosting of SAMAs in Durban

"As an executive authority, having consulted widely with the executive council and other stakeholders, I have advised the department to stop the hosting of the South African Music Awards this year," said Economic Development and Tourism MEC Siboniso Duma during a media briefing on Wednesday. 

"Senior Management has been mandated to engage with the Recording Industry of South Africa and report back to me as an executive authority. We will also report to the KZN Executive Council as the hosting of the SAMA Awards was a collective decision."

READ: DA wants SIU probe into R28m SAMA funding allegations

Opposition parties had been up in arms over the money the provincial government had been planning to spend on the event at the ICC.

TimesLIVE is also reporting that President Cyril Ramaphosa wrote to Duma urging the provincial government to stop the exorbitant spending.

Duma says the department secured approval from the Provincial Treasury for funding for the SAMA Awards. 

He says the process was transparent and free of any irregularities.

"The R28 million and other figures being thrown around are part of a campaign of disinformation. This is aimed at sowing confusion.

"The actual amount of money that has been confirmed by Treasury and EDTEA is around R20 million before VAT. This amount of money is based on our last consultation as we have repeatedly stated that we have ongoing consultation."

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