Note to Editors: Please find an English soundbite by Cllr Lyrics Mazibuko here
Today, in a blatant act of unconstitutionalism the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Johannesburg, was blocked from conducting oversight at the deteriorating Johannesburg Art Gallery (JAG) by City of Johannesburg MMC for Community Development, Tebeho Nkoukou.
This visit followed reports of unauthorised repairs at the facility, that houses the largest public collection of modern and contemporary art in sub-Saharan Africa.
From the onset, public representatives and members of the media were met with hostility. Security personnel, under instruction, shut the gate. Instead of welcoming oversight, officials seemed intent on blocking transparency. Upon MMC Nkoukou and his team’s arrival, it was claimed that the gallery was closed due to construction. However, the director of the Community Development Office admitted to having no information of the project’s timeline, contractors, or the scope of work.
Their excuse? The MMC is “new to the position” and needs more time to gather information.
We will be writing to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs. The MMC has to go, whether it be for his blatant ignorance or for his unconstitutional conduct today.
While repairs to JAG are long overdue, the process has been shrouded in secrecy, with no transparency, consultation, or adherence to proper procedures. Public representatives and JAG stakeholders have not been informed about critical details, including who commissioned the work, who has been contracted, or the scope of the repairs. These omissions raise red flags, as such work must involve qualified contractors and heritage practitioners with specialised expertise.’
Last week, it emerged that artworks were loaned to a gallery in South Korea, this was done without informing the relevant bodies or the public – leaving the halls of the JAG even emptier than usual. Mould and water damage is a common sight in the JAG, while world renowned paintings suffer water damage. One can only hope that the priceless art pieces on loan in South Korea are kept in better conditions than they were here at home in Johannesburg. Then again, we wouldn’t know, as this deal too has been shrouded in secrecy.
To make matters worse, cleaning staff and clinic employees were sent home due to our presence. This chaotic response underscores the lack of planning, accountability, and respect for governance.
The DA firmly condemns this blatant obstruction of oversight. It is unacceptable for the MMC to interfere with councillors’ constitutional duty to monitor and hold the executive to account, particularly while service delivery collapses across Johannesburg.
We will urgently table a motion in Council to demand transparency on the Johannesburg Art Gallery repairs. Stakeholders and residents deserve clear answers about the state of this iconic institution and the administration’s gross mismanagement.
The DA will not stand idly by while the City destroys our cultural heritage.