The Mutale Municipality cannot account for items of art belonging to some independent artists, who work under the banner of Tshandama Freedom Art Makers.

The items were taken from the artists in 2002, in the guise of selling them to tourists during the total solar eclipse that was experienced in the area. The pieces of art, to the value of more than R3 500, have not been paid for and no one seems to have any idea as to where they have ended up or where the money accrued from the sales is.

In an interview with this paper, Mutale Municipality spokesperson Mr Thiathu Ravhura could not give a straight answer and on two occassions promised to come back with information, but the information he brought was very sketchy. He said the articles had been entrusted to a Mr Mpho Nethengwe, who had taken them.

The latter is alleged to be somewhere in Gauteng, but what is surprising is why the municipality has not done anything to trace the man. Ravhura said they had done all they could to trace the man, to no avail. "We are busy tracing him, and as soon as we get hold of him, we will be able to compensate the artists for their work," he said. He could, hovever, not provide an explanation as to why the municipality had not paid the artists and dealt with Nethengwe.

The whole scenario has left the four artists very angry and dissappointed. They have vowed to do all in their power to get the money or the articles they worked hard for. The group consist of four hardworking and dedicated members, Peter Mudau (56), Nkhumbuleni Mudau (50), Toffolux Siobo (55) and Joseph Malindi (58).

Mudau said the municipality had taken them for a ride. He said when they were approached for their crafts, they thought that they would make a killing as tourists were all over the area. "We thought it was a good business idea, and we had thought we would make some quick money," he said.

When they enquired about their payment, however, they were sent from pillar to post. "We have had enough of this waiting; the municipality should pay us now. We work very hard to put a plate of food on the table and see our chidren through school from these crafts," he said.

The Tshandama Freedom Art Makers was started in 1997. When the group started, it was funded by the Vhembe District Department of Health and Social Development. The project focuses on the craft of wood carving and sells to tourists and the local community. The group is operating under apalling conditions in bushes a few metres from the Tshandama Arts and Craft Centre.

Mpho Nethengwe, who is alleged to have taken the crafts, said he knew nothing about them. "The municipality is just playing a game of hide and seek. They know who took the pieces as they have been working with him for a long time."

Nethengwe said the man had been marketing for them and had returned some of the crafts, but some had not come back. He mentioned that the man still had the goods locked up in one of the offices at Tshandama Arts and Craft Centre. "I wonder why they are involving me in this matter, whereas they know where to find the man who took their art away."

He said he had nothing to hide and the officials knew about it .

Confronted with the new allegations, Ravhura said the municipality could raise the amount and pay it back to the artists. "This is a small amount. We can always raise it and we pay these guys and let this matter rest," he said.