Pacofs' Tshegofatso Toolo quotes Advocate Thato Moeeng, Pacofs Council Chairperson and spokesperson, saying a meeting was held with the council representative on Sunday, however, the situation remains unchanged. She adds that they have continued their "sit-in" protest. Moeeng said that matters in conjunction with maladministration and corruption have been acknowledged and that it is being investigated further. They are committed to ensuring that fairness and transparency remain the core of all operations and that the integrity of the organisation is maintained.

The Provincial Coordinator of the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) in the Free State, Mbuyiselo Nqodi, also confirms that the meeting was held but that no consensus was reached.

"There will be a meeting on 18 March that will determine everything, but other than that there is no move. We are not vacating that place until we are satisfied with our requests," says Nqodi.

"They sent Kingdom Moshounyane. He came to get our views around this issue and put a view of the council that they have looked into the matter. According to them, this matter was resolved by the previous council. And then we asked for resolutions of how they implemented that [Morar Incorporated Accounting Firm] report. He couldn't provide any documents," says Nqodi.

OFM News previously reported that the artists have had increasing concerns with regards to their constant misrepresentation in the art industry. Alongside the various Free State artists, the CCIFSA have also been a driver of the sit-ins, says Nqodi. He adds that the recent suspension of the previous CEO, Peter Pedlar, and the appointment of the acting CEO and Artistic Director, Meshack Xaba, do not go unnoticed as both of them have allegedly been accused of wrongdoing, according to the 2018 Morar report.

The Morar report investigated the alleged collusion in procuring tenders and the favourable treatment of a former Pacofs council member.

“Granted, meetings have been set - the artists will continue to intensify the sit-ins ahead of a possible strike this coming Wednesday, until their needs are adequately met,” says Nqodi.

OFM News/Lee Simmons