FNB to contribute to repaying funds
FIRST National Bank has offered to pay a contribution of funds siphoned from the Living Legends Legacy Trust by playwright and director Welcome Msomi.
However, the bank said it was doing this as a gesture of goodwill to the artists who were the beneficiaries and not as an acceptance of liability.
FNB’s Lee-Anne van Zyl said they commended the response of the law enforcement authorities, adding that they remained committed to co-operating with the legal representatives of the Living Legends Programme and the police on the matter.
FNB is in talks with the Department of Arts and Culture on a set amount that will be paid to the department.
It was reported last month that Msomi had pilfered funds from the trust’s account to the tune of R8 million.
Department spokesperson Asanda Magaqa yesterday refused to comment, saying the investigations and negotiations with FNB were continuing.
However, she said Minister Nathi Mthethwa had consistently stated that justice would not only entail the bringing of the perpetrator to book, but the recovery of the misappropriated funds.
To date, the department has set aside R20m to aid the programme in its mandate and objectives. Of the R20m pledged, R8m had been paid to the trust in August last year and it was these funds that Msomi allegedly stole.
Msomi, 76, was nabbed by the Hawks last month in Gauteng.
The programme was first launched in August 2015 and has paid homage to the likes of Dr John Kani, Dr Esther Mahlangu and Abigail Kubeka for their contributions to society.
Hawks spokesperson Lloyd Ramovha said Msomi remained in custody.
“He appeared in court on April 2 but the matter was postponed as his address still needed to be verified,” Ramovha said.
Msomi is due back in court next month.