The Moshito Music Conference and Exhibition has been running since 2004 and recently announced Nadia Nakai and Ihashi Elimhlophe as their ambassadors for this year. Amidst the celebrations, retired music executive at Zuz'Muzi Music, businessman and Moshito board member Tshepo Ndzimande has in an open letter to Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, called out the annual event for wasting funds and failure to appoint competent service providers.

WASTEFUL

The board member said prior to him taking the matter to the minister he had raised his concerns with fellow board members. He added that in the past year about nine meetings of the board have been convened with no minutes circulated. "Both the 2022 and 2023 reports to the DSAC and other stakeholders have not been discussed or approved by the board of Moshito. Reports that have been provided, after they were demanded, are barely legible and incomplete,' he wrote. "Service providers have been appointed and paid without the approval of the board. Prior quotes from alternative suppliers have not been obtained. Some of the payments appear to be excessive and details of the services provided have been withheld,' he added

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PAYMENTS

He went on to say the following payments appear to be irregular. "Koftech Marketing Collateral, Parktown Restaurant Catering, Queendom Sound Hire, AS Frank Travel, Ambassadors fees, Production fees and allowances. Moshito has not provided an audit report or financial statements for several years and no AGM has been convened. Income from other sponsors, for example, SAMRO and KICK, have not been disclosed. It is requested that these matters be fully and properly investigated to verify alleged maladministration,' his letter continues. He added that Moshito had not accounted for the money used. "Yet they keep getting money from the government. Last year there was no AGM, and a report without financial statements was sent to the department. The service providers that I mentioned in the letter never presented to the board. But they were appointed and paid nonetheless. This is against the PFMA and the department must investigate.'

MOSHITO RESPONDS

Moshito spokesperson, Nongelo Chiume said it is unfortunate that the letter circulated is not a true reflection of Moshito affairs but a personal view of Mr Nzimande alone. In a statement sent to ZiMoja, he noted the concerns.

"Moshito is an international conference that is focused on its upcoming conference and does not want to lose focus and be dragged to organised attacks aimed at bolstering personal intentions... Moshito board has no record or an official complaint by Mr. Nzimande in writing or electronic recording, which is clearly stipulating the matters he claims to have raised on his letter to outside stakeholders as per his letter and unfortunately that is a gross violation of the internal processes. We heard of this malicious letter and its content through the media, which explains the sole intention of the complaint. This was long before we could even get the letter itself. 

Nongelo added that the board does not get involved in administrative matters as it has put clear systems in place that are executed by the office. 

"What is important to note is that Mr Tshepo Nzimande is a beneficiary of the aponsorships he claims were not disclosed and he is being economic with the truth. As a board we want to put it clear that all sponsorships were reported accordingly in formal meetings and acknowledged in public, by the sponsors directly in his attendance. This is a matter of fact and is also acknowledged in every marketing collateral published. We have proof of such declarations on our records."

Nongelo added that the claims are "totally false' and has "no basis in fact, "except to scandalise Moshito's great work and tarnish its great reputation. A practice he should know is against the law and breaks the code and fiduciary role of him as a director."