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Protesting Free State artists’ 40-day sit-in over

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Protesting Free State artists have ended their 40-day sit-in at the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State in Bloemfontein after the appointment of interim acting CEO, Sharon Snell. Artists have been protesting against alleged corruption and mismanagement at the centre.

They demanded the implementation of the 2018 Morar report, which implicated senior staff members at the Centre as well as a board member.

They also wanted the sacking of the acting PACOFS CEO, Meshack Xaba, who is allegedly implicated in the investigation report.

Free State artists demand relief funds and an end to graft:

The Free State Coordinator of the Cultural and Creative Industries Dederation, Mbuyiselo Nqodi, says they welcome Snell’s appointment.

“We will give the new CEO a chance to be able to settle in and be able to see what else she is going to do in terms of advancing what we’re complaining about. But it is not entirely on her hands because this week we are getting a report from the Portfolio Committee on their visits and what and how they concluded with the institution on what to do. But end of this week, we are going to get that report we understand that it going to be a long process the issue of the disciplining of Mr Xaba.”

In late March, the group had demanded decisive intervention from government.

On Sunday, the threatened to intensify their action until their demands are met:

 

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