The sound of scandal from the controversial Aids musical continues to reverberate around its creator Mbongeni Ngema. SUZY BELL reports
NEW evidence has emerged in a fraud investigation into controversial director and playwright Mbongeni Ngema. The investigation concerns allegations, made in February, that Ngema used R3-million advanced to him from the R14,2-million spent on Sarafina 2 to “settle his debts with the taxman”, renovate his plush home in Gillitts, Durban, and convert his double garage into a R500 000 recording studio.
The evidence is the latest in a series of damning accusations levelled at Ngema in the aftermath of the Sarafina 2 fiasco.
Senior Superintendent Hendrik Engelbrecht, who heads the team of specialist investigators of the government fraud section of Durban’s commercial crime unit, said: “The Ngema case has been a priority. We have good sources, new documentation and it looks like a strong case.”
He refused to reveal details of the new evidence because the case is sub judice.
The final decision as to whether Ngema will be charged rests with the attorney general. And to date senior government officials are remaining tight-lipped. But chief director of the Department of Health, Dr Olive Shisana, admitted that Ngema is under investigation. “I can’t say how long this investigation will take as it’s up to the police. But I wanted this all over with long ago,” she said.
It has also emerged that, in order to pay off the cost of alterations for his studio and equipment, Ngema took out a loan from the Small Business Development Corporation in June 1996 for between R500 000 and R600 000. The corporation’s assistant general manager, Francois Scholtz, confirmed the loan was granted to Ngema to pay off his studio equipment and alterations.
Ngema has refused to comment on the allegations, except to say: “The equipment in my studio at home belongs to me. I paid for it. I don’t have to defend myself, disclose what value it has and show anyone proof that it is my private property.”
In June this year, the Mail & Guardian interviewed Ngema at his private recording studio in Gillitts. The studio, which Ngema calls “Ngema’s Techno Bush Recording Studio”, was decked out with state-of-the- art sound and recording equipment, as well as a massive mixing desk. He initially said the equipment was rented and that he was obliged to return the equipment to the Department of Health, which had sponsored Sarafina 2. He also stated that when the Sarafina 2 project ended, he had `’hoped” to buy back the equipment with funds from the Department of Health. “But that didn’t happen.” But when he was questioned about the equipment at a later date he said that the department had taken back the studio equipment. He insisted that the equipment in his studio belonged to him.
And Shisana also seemed unclear about the situation. When asked about Ngema’s loan from the corporation Shisana said: “Ngema has paid the government R441 000 towards the studio, through his loan from the SBDC. But the Department of Health did not pay off any of his creditors beyond the time that the Sarafina 2 contract was terminated.” She added: “It seems that Ngema may not have paid the entire amount still owing for the studio.”
Meanwhile, a Durban travel agency, which took Ngema and his theatre company Committed Artists to court over an alleged unpaid account of nearly R200 000, is proceeding with its action against Ngema. Its legal representative Erik van Huyssteen confirmed that a trial date had been set for September.
And in another twist to the ongoing tale of Sarafina 2, town clerk for the Outer West Council of Metro Durban, Gerard Strydom, said that permission was never granted for alterations for Ngema’s private studio in Gillitts. “The plans have never been approved so he still owes the building fees,” he said.
And a Durban carpenter, who helped convert Ngema’s double garage into the studio, claims he was never paid the R900-a-week salary promised by Ngema.”No one who worked on the studio has been paid,” he said.
Ngema has refused to comment on the allegations.