The complaint lodged with the Public Protector against the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) are “untrue and unfounded”, the agency said on Saturday.
Allegations that the NYDA was not within its mandate and that the there was misappropriation of funds were false, NYDA spokesperson Andile Lungisa said.
This was in response to complaints lodged by the Freedom Front Plus regarding the 17th World Festival of Youth and Students in December 2010.
Lungisa said in a statement hosting the festival was within the NYDA's mandate of seeking to advance socio-economic development, reduction of unemployment and promoting social cohesion of the youth.
He said that funds raised for hosting the festival were used for that purpose and nothing else.
The NYDA submitted all the necessary documentation to the Public Protector for the inquiry as well as a letter to Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel detailing the activities and financial report of the Youth Festival.
“As an accountable institution of government we will await the outcomes relating to the complaint lodged with the Public Protector, and we will continue with our work and programmes aimed at the overall development of all young people,” Lungisa said. - Sapa