The Prime Minister of the Free State, Maqueen Joyce Letsoha-Mathaehas warmly welcomed the investigation by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), which has uncovered disturbing irregularities relating to the Free State Provincial Government’s Bursary Scheme.
This revelation follows a public update from the head of the SIU Leonard Gaoretelelwe Lekgethowhich detailed alarming findings emerging from a long-term investigation into a program designed to support financially disadvantaged students in pursuing higher education in critical skill areas.
“Each year, funding is provided to Free State students pursuing scarce skills occupations at higher education institutions.
“Officials, however, awarded grants to their relatives, deceased and foreigners, as well as foreign nationalseligible officials, and left millions of rand in the university’s accounts undetected,” Lekgetho said.
The investigation, initiated following a referral from the Auditor General of South Africa, was formally approved by President Cyril Ramaphosa under Proclamation R123 of 2023. To date, two progress reports have been submitted to the President, with the final report expected in September.
In a disturbing revelation, Lekgetho shared examples where students who had failed modules saw their scholarship contracts unnecessarily extended, turning a standard three-year course into a frustrating seven-year ordeal.
“With regard to the irregular approval of scholarships, the SIU investigation found that officials negligently approved scholarships, failed to meet eligibility criteria and irregularly renewed scholarship contracts.”
Lekgetho further revealed that certain students failed some of their modules, but the scholarship contracts were never canceled by the Prime Minister’s Office, from three to seven years.
“A degree that was supposed to be completed in three years was ultimately completed in seven years. And during these seven years the scholarship was awarded. Some applicants received scholarships for qualifications that were not part of the Provincial Workplace Skills Plan 2018/2019. In some cases, the required processes were not followed before the scholarships were approved.”
In total, these irregularly awarded grants have cost the Free State provincial government more than R8.3 million, with the SIU investigation successfully recovering just over R6.2 million, and referring 86 officials to disciplinary processes. According to the SIU, the money linked to the financing of foreigners amounted to R576,734.
“The SIU discovered an inconsistency in the agreement, with the Prime Minister’s Office ultimately contributing 65% of the grant instead of the 35% that should have been awarded. This has resulted in irregular expenditure of more than R8.3 million, which the SIU is now seeking to recover.”
Prime Minister Letsoha-Mathae has committed her government to strengthening internal governance structures.
She stated: “Our goal is to ensure that the eligibility requirements, approval and oversight mechanisms are clearly defined and applied consistently.”
She confirmed that the disciplinary process would be carried out for eight employees involved in these irregularities, and one senior official has already faced disciplinary action.
Siyabonga Sithole
iol.co.za