Pretoria: An investigation into the affairs of the Office of the Premier in the Free State has uncovered serious maladministration and the awarding of bursaries to foreign nationals, relatives, and a deceased student. Acting Head of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Leonard Lekgetho said the investigation was initiated following a referral from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) concerning irregularities.
According to South African Government News Agency, the AGSA's reports from 2019 and 2020 revealed serious irregularities in the management of bursaries and funds intended to educate and uplift youth in the Free State. The awarding of the bursaries in question took place during Ace Magashule's tenure as Premier. The investigation was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation 123 of 2023.
'The SIU's investigation revealed that officials approved bursaries negligently, failed to comply with the eligibility criteria, and irregularly extended bursary contracts,' Lekgetho said. He further confirmed that a deceased student had received bursaries from both the Office of the Premier and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The Office of the Premier paid R34,891.60 to the University of the Free State, which deposited the money into a suspense account after the student's death. NSFAS also paid R13,000 into the student's bank account, which his parents used. Since the student had died before completing his studies, the funds could not be recovered.
The investigation also showed that seven students who received the bursary were foreign nationals, with six students then funded on a merit basis as top achievers. However, the SIU found no approval to deviate from the policy, which specifies that bursaries are for South African citizens residing in the Free State, resulting in an expenditure of R576,734.48.
Lekgetho noted that in total, an amount of R8.3 million was spent, benefiting 161 students and 16 officials from various government departments. The SIU has made 38 disciplinary referrals against the implicated officials, including human resources officials, administration clerks, and various directors. The unit also uncovered instances where a degree meant to be completed in three years was extended to seven years with continued bursary support.
Further findings revealed that an official awarded bursaries to relatives without following due process, and bursaries were awarded for qualifications not included in the 2018-19 Provincial Workplace Skills Plan. The SIU reported signing 18 acknowledgements of debt totaling R1.9 million with individuals who received undue benefits from the bursary scheme.
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae welcomed the investigation and committed her administration to supporting the SIU investigations. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that eligibility requirements, approval, and oversight mechanisms are clearly defined and consistently applied, and stated that disciplinary processes for the eight employees involved would be executed.