Mystery of Somizi Mhlongo's P500K payment deepens

BOT50 Coordinator Charity Kgotlafela has vehemently denied any knowledge of who and how much was paid to South African prominent choreographer Somizi Mlongo following a lead story ran by the Midweek Sun last week Wednesday.

Kgotlafela pointed accusing fingers at Red Pepper Productions for having been economical with the truth. Instead, she explained that what she knows is that Red Pepper was awarded a P14million tender to prepare a theatrical documentary for BOT50 celebrations and as to how they have used the money is a problem for the company. She said they are only waiting for results from the contracted company.

Red Pepper director Thapelo Letsholo had last week declined to answer questions on Somizi’s payment, directing all inquiries to the BOT50 committee, and asked why Letsholo would refer all queries concerning his company to her doorstep, Kgotlafela explained that probably he did not want to disclose his company’s confidential issues to the media. “What are you gaining from this interrogation anyway?” she asked before hanging up.

Last week when The Midweek Sun followed the story of Somizi’s payment, a questionnaire was forwarded to Letsholo and in his response he directed all questions to Kgotlafela, suggesting Mhlongo’s bill was the responsibility of the BOT50 committee. In a WhatsApp exchange with this reporter following the questionnaire, Letsholo shared Kgotlafela’s contact details and explained that the BOT50 official would call shortly with all relevant answers concerning Mhlongo. 

When pressed to name the company which made the payments to Mhlongo’s account, he responded by saying, “I am informed that you have accordingly communicated with the coordinator and will accordingly leave it there,” he said.

Kgotlafela would later refer this reporter to the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture Public Relations Office for an answer only for them to refer The Midweek Sun back to her as they claimed that she had all the answers. When reached for a comment yesterday to clarify who and how much was paid to Mhlongo, Letsholo said that he was in a meeting and would respond in five minutes only for his line to be off until press time.

Who then paid Mlongo remains the biggest mystery as no one is prepared to associate himself with the South African Choreographer.