Statement by Leah Potgieter MP – DA Spokesperson on Sports, Arts and Culture:
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will pursue a parliamentary probe into potential conflicts of interest and political influence surrounding the sale of Ticketpro to a consortium reportedly linked to Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie and his political party, the Patriotic Alliance (PA).
This follows new revelations from Daily Maverick that Minister McKenzie repeatedly visited the offices of JSE-listed Blu Label while the sale of its Ticketpro subsidiary was underway. Ticketpro holds exclusive ticketing arrangements with Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African Football Association (SAFA), both within his portfolio.
Of particular concern is the involvement of Bakang Lethoko, Minister McKenzie’s former chief of staff, who subsequently became Ticketpro’s CEO and chaired the Department’s Formula One Bid Steering Committee. The Minister’s spokesperson acknowledged that Lethoko accompanied Minister McKenzie to Blu Label at least once.
These circumstances raise legitimate questions about potential conflicts of interest, including whether Lethoko held any public appointment at the time of the visits and whether any commercial interests were declared or assessed.
Rather than legitimately addressing these concerns, Minister McKenzie’s spokesperson resorted to ridicule, suggesting journalists might as well link Minister McKenzie to unrelated global events. This response does not address the questions raised. Dismissing scrutiny with mockery and portraying legitimate inquiries as absurd conspiracies does not replace accountability.
The DA will seek a full account of the Minister’s visits to Blu Label, including their dates, purposes, participants and whether Ticketpro or the proposed sale was discussed.
We will also seek disclosure of the transaction’s ownership structure, ultimate beneficial owners, purchase price, financing arrangements and any involvement by the Minister or his associates.
Furthermore, the DA will seek information on existing agreements between Ticketpro, SAFA, CSA and other sporting bodies, as well as measures to prevent political influence or preferential treatment in future ticketing arrangements.
The questions are straightforward. The Minister should answer them with facts and records.
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