Controversial advocate Ike Khumalo told TshisaLIVE he interrupted Deborah Fraser's memorial service in Johannesburg this week because he knew about the gospel star's struggles and is tired of government's "mistreatment towards artists".
Khumalo interrupted a planned address by a representative of the department of arts and culture by taking to the stage to ask where the department was when the star was struggling.
Khumalo was arrested for allegedly inciting public violence relating to the unrest and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng last year. Earlier this year he represented Nhlanhla “Lux” Dlamini after the Operation Dudula leader's arrest.
He told TshisaLIVE department officials often want special treatment and a platform to say loving words at an artist's funeral, but are nowhere to be seen when the same performer is struggling.
“Government departments have been looting and not caring for the people they serve. They only come at the tail end to speak at their funerals. I am tired of it.”
He said his concerns were noted by the department.
Khumalo is a former actor who left the industry, claiming he was isolated for "speaking out too much". He said he had known Deborah for years and was privy to her personal struggles.
“We had fought together on several issues, including artist rights, piracy and royalties. We had been in many meetings together. I knew her struggle.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, like so many other creatives, she was struggling. She was in a public hospital before her death and had no help. The department could have sent someone to visit or to help the family. Instead family and friends were the ones who were there to take care of her.
“They have no right to speak at her funeral.”
Mthethwa shared a statement on social media this week admitting that not all artists were taken care of during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Government's response through relief, grants and [the] presidential economic stimulus package went a long way in softening the negative impact of Covid-19 on our society. We acknowledge that not all benefited from such interventions by government. This is so because of the finite/limited financial resources at the disposal of the state.
“We tried to stretch the rand as far as we possibly could. Over this period, the department has supported athletes, artists and their organisations financially to the tune of R808m, benefiting 59,224 artists and athletes with 37,556 jobs created and retained.”
Deborah died at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital last Sunday surrounded by loved ones.
Khumalo claimed Deborah was a main breadwinner in her family and her family now face serious financial struggles that have left them deeply anxious.
"One of the children got a letter from school the other day because of unpaid school fees. When I visit the family they were crying and telling me that they do not know what they are going to do now that Ma Deborah is gone".
He said this was the reason he insisted at the memorial that the department divert R10m from their controversial R22m “monumental” flag project to the star's family.
“Everyone was her friend when she was advocating for the ANC, but in her darkest days, and when her family needs it the most, she has no friends”.
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