Acclaimed playwright, director convicted of stealing millions from Living Legends Legacy Programme
"The Department wishes to note that while it considers justice to have been done in this matter, in the form of the conviction of Msomi, this is not the end of the matter as far as it is concerned," it said in a statement.
The Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture has welcomed the conviction of renowned playwright and director, Welcome Msomi for all counts for theft of funds, of up to R 8-Million, of the Living Legends Legacy Programme (LLLP).
Msomi pleaded guilty to all the counts of theft at the Palm Ridge Magistrate Court.
He is best known for his work "UMabatha,” a Zulu adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
The Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa said he welcomed the conviction and ruling and awaits the sentence that will be imposed by the Court on the 28th of November.
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The Living Legends Legacy Programme (LLLP) was founded by Mthethwa in 2015.
The “Living Legends” include the likes of Letta Mbulu, Dr Wally Serote, Abigail Kubheka, Dr Esther Mahlangu, Don Mattera, Dr John Kani and many more of the nation’s “Living Treasures”. The recently departed Dorothy Masuku, Dr Winston Ntshona and Nomhle Nkonyeni also belonged to the group.
In January 2019, it was announced by the committee of the Living Legends Trust (LLT) to the members of the LLLP and South Africans, that R8-million of the money paid by the Department to the LLLP had been stolen from the Living Legends bank account.
"The Department wishes to note that while it considers justice to have been done in this matter, in the form of the conviction of Msomi, this is not the end of the matter as far as it is concerned," it said in a statement.
"The Department is aware that the Trustees of the LLLP will continue with the legal action, through the Courts and collaborating with law enforcement institutions, to ensure full recovery of the funds stolen by Msomi."