Pretoria: Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has requested the Bureau of Heraldry South Africa to conduct a formal investigation into the alleged unauthorised use of the Coat of Arms by the Somali Association of South Africa. In a statement issued on Monday, the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture said it had noted what appears to be the Coat of Arms, or a reproduction thereof, being incorporated into the association's logo and branding materials.

According to South African Government News Agency, Minister McKenzie formally referred the matter to Thembinkosi Mabaso, State Herald of the Bureau of Heraldry, instructing a formal investigation to determine if the association's logo and branding materials contravene the Heraldry Act. Should a violation be confirmed, McKenzie has instructed the State Herald to issue a compliance notice demanding the immediate cessation of any unauthorised use and to enforce appropriate sanctions under the Act if the association fails to comply.

The Bureau of Heraldry has been tasked with submitting its findings to the Minister's office within 10 working days. The department emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of South Africa's national symbols, stating that the Coat of Arms should not be used as a decorative element by any organisation. It belongs to the people of South Africa and must be treated with the dignity and legal respect it commands.

McKenzie assured that his department would act decisively wherever the law has been contravened, using this case as a precedent for handling similar issues in the future. The department will provide further updates once the Bureau of Heraldry completes its assessment.

The Bureau of Heraldry, established under Section 3 of the Heraldry Act, 1962, is responsible for registering heraldic representations, names, special names and uniforms, as well as promoting and protecting national symbols.