Gov’t goes after artists over COVID-19 funds

In a move that has allegedly shocked the artists and the industry, the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture has notified some artists who are on government payroll to return the money they received through the Botswana Unified Revenue Services (BURS) disbursed to assist the arts.

In a letter seen by this publication dated March 29, 2022, the ministry says it has conducted an audit on financial relief programme that was extended to the arts and culture sector to cushion the creatives on the negative effects of the lockdowns and movement restrictions that were put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19.