Mosimanegape Gaborone, representative of the Arts staff at the Northern Cape Theatre in Kimberley, says they initiated a sit-in at the provincial offices of the Department of Sports, Arts, and Culture on 24 April 2024. He says their attempt to communicate with the department and the National Arts Council yielded no success. However, on Friday night, May 17, 2024, the situation escalated when they were allegedly taken into custody by the police. Gaborone says the Head of Department refused to cooperate, citing that he was following orders and lacked the authority to intervene. He says, initially a trespassing case was opened against them, but it was later retracted. As a consequence, they are suspended from the department.

Journalist: Asathaba Grootboom
Email: asathabagrootboom2018@gmail.com