Somizi Mhlongo’s controversial cook-off event with the Department of Tourism seems to be causing even more trouble than we thought, and the restaurant owner is the latest casualty. Dj Shimza is set to be investigated by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in regards to his popular restaurant, Hang Awt, based in Tembisa.
As Sowetan Live reports, the restaurant raised eyebrows when it got a R150,000 deal with the government to host a cook-off, despite never being on the Department of Tourism’s database. There is also no record of the restaurant putting in a tender application for the gig.
When the event happened earlier this year, the Ministry of Tourism received a lot of backlash. Citizens felt like the department lacked a sense of priorities, as they chose to spend money on a cook-off event with rich celebrities instead of supporting those who were struggling, considering how badly the tourism and hospitality industries were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The then Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, defended the event saying that celebrity cook-offs are a popular trend all over the world, and asked critics to have a look at how successful the trend had been in other locations. But Mzansi was not convinced that this was the best use of taxpayer money.
This event is the last pre-budget event we are hosting since last week. Do you have feedback on other events that we held so that we can use this as part of the debriefing session with the team. If you didn’t notice other events also do indicate 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Mmamoloko Nkhensani Kubayi (@mmkubayi) May 17, 2021
Why not go to the same Tembisa and visit every local food joint and showcase their dishes and talent? How is this in anyway part of reviving the tourism industry? Your PR is failing you, Somizi doesn't need that money. https://t.co/1hNxP1bbS5
— Monsieur Ramp (@TJRamp) May 17, 2021
Tourism industry suffered during lockdown and the minister see it best to do a cook-off lebo Somizi ai this country
— The Chosen One 🕯 (@hunadi_mpho) May 17, 2021
How will this event activate tourism in Mzansi. Maybe share the brief to ease taxpayers concerns 🙄
— lisazizo (@molili07) May 16, 2021
Read also: Maphorisa Is Tired Of Shimza's "Gatekeeping"
Dj Shimza allegedly further worsened his case by stating on social media that the department called him and asked for a quotation of how much the event would cost. He was then given the tender, with no mention of an application.
Naturally, the PSC does not appreciate the fact that he was given special consideration while others in the same business had to apply through the right channels. According to the report, a whistleblower reported the infraction via the national anti-corruption hotline, which is how it came to the attention of PSC officials.
This is not the first time that Shimza is getting in trouble for political reasons. He was recently accused of being a government spokesperson when he wanted people to get vaccinated before attending his festivals.
As you can imagine, his vaccine “campaign” did not go the way he thought it would. He got dragged, as fans told him they can live without his festivals, and would not be willing to get themselves injected with stuff they can’t trust just to watch him push a button on a music player. Ouch!
It seems that everything Shimza says or does with political undertones will always draw criticism, particularly as he has previously been linked to dating Athi Geleba who works as the Head of Digital Communications in The Presidency.
For now, we wait to see what will come of the investigation. But it looks like maybe Shimza should not have sent out those tweets, because this event has resulted in more trouble than it's worth.