Chomee pulls the race card amid NAC corruption scandal

The alleged misuse of COVID-19 relief funds by the National Arts Council has created some hostility amongst artists and government officials. Musician Chomee who is at the forefront of the entire saga, has issued out an official statement where she pulls the race card, questioning if she is undeserving of the funds because she is a black woman.

Chomee starts off by clarifying some misconceptions about the R2 million funding which she reportedly received and bought a car using the funds. It was stated that she bought a luxury car with the funds instead of continuing with her planned project which was going to create jobs during the pandemic.

At first she denied buying a car, saying the one she drives now was purchased six years ago. In her statement she further adds that she has not received a cent from the NAC, she only merely applied for funding and was approved.

Now, the musician and Divatainment founder is disheartened by the blatant use of racism, saying many women of colour applied for funding but it is only she who is treated contemptuously. She asked, is it because she is black that she does not deserve R2 million or is it because she dated someone famous that she is getting mistreated by the media.

“Is it because I’m not deserving of funding or because I am a black woman? The list released showed women of all races who applied for funding, got approved and they received some payment, and no one is asking them anything. Were they asked who they dated before or is it just me?” a very displeased Chomee asked.

Her famous ex, Arthur Mafokate, who did chime in and came to her rescue by the way, is also catching smoke after he reportedly got approved of R10 million funding.

“I was affected by the lockdown like all other practitioners and lost a lot of work. Why am I under scrutiny? Is it because a black woman is not deserving of R2 million funding? Is it because a black woman cannot manage money or projects meant to empower others in the industry?”
Chomee said she plans on creating jobs but no media houses have bother contacting her and asking whether she plans on doing such. “It is falsely reported that I received R2 million and to date I have not received a cent in my account to start this project…I am not a victim of those who are slandering my name for no good reason, but more of a victim of bad journalism.”

I have never misused Government’s funds -Chomee refutes rumours

South African diva, Chomee has refuted claims which are currently making waves on the internet that she received R 2 million from the National Arts Council.

Not long ago, the songstress made headlines that she was allegedly part of the artists who misused the government funds which were meant to sustain other struggling artists.
According to reports, R300 million was set aside by the government as Covid relief funds have all be been squandered by a handful of artists.

This development has angered several artists in the industry who are going to take to the streets to have Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa account for the money.

Chomee addresses the R2 millions allegedly received from NAC

They often say “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” These are the sentiments that Chomee stands by and she is sticking to her guns, that it is all a lie. Wonder what we are talking about? Well yesterday, the Divatainment boss hogged headlines as being the face of a blatant misuse of government funds which were meant to sustain struggling artists.

The National Arts Council is currently the least favourite organisation as it is alleged that R300 million worth of COVID-19 relief funds have vanished into thin air. In the same length, a handful of artists are struggling to make ends meet and are going to take to the streets to have Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa brought to book.

The Jaiva Sexy hitmaker is embroiled in this scandal because yesterday we reported that Daily Sun alleges she received approximately R2 million from the NAC, and bought a car with the funds instead.

Chomee apparently sent out a proposal to the NAC stating that she will need the money for a project of hers called Online Broadcasting Development Programme.

Denying these claims, Chomee said it is all a big fat LIE and said she bought her luxury car in question, six years ago.

Her former lover Arthur Mafokate defended her and said she does not have enough money to take a huge publication to court and sue them, “What’s happens when such false information is peddled about someone whom they know can’t afford lawyers to sue such a BIG newspaper?”

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A post shared by Arthur Mafokate (@arthurmafokate)

Arthur’s affiliation is much bigger as he received more than R10 million from the NAC for his various companies and companies of family members including his children Owami and Lesego Mafokate and his sisters.

Minister Nathi Mthethwa is said to be aware of such allegations and is reportedly working with the NAC to investigate this blatant mismanagement of funds.

An artist who has been vocal about artist’s struggles since the pandemic, Simphiwe Dana said it should have been Arthur’s face plastered all over the newspaper, instead of Chomee, “More drama at the National Arts Council. Arthur Mafokate affiliated companies received over R10m from NAC. His picture as the mastermind should be here, not Chomee’s.”

*allegedly

— #BamakoIsHere (@simphiwedana) March 24, 2021