SIU reports R8.3 million misuse of Free State bursaries

A provincial bursary scheme intended to support disadvantaged students and address skills shortages was instead marred by widespread maladministration, with millions in public funds irregularly awarded to ineligible recipients, according to findings released by South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU). Acting SIU head Leonard Lekgetho detailed the outcomes of an investigation into the Free State Office of the Premier's bursary funding between 2017 and 2018 during a media briefing on Tuesday.

The investigation, authorized by President Cyril Ramaphosa following a referral from the Auditor-General, uncovered that bursaries were improperly awarded to relatives of government officials, deceased individuals, foreign nationals, and government employees who were ineligible for full-time study support. Officials negligently approved these awards and failed to comply with established eligibility criteria, the SIU found.

One of the most egregious cases involved a deceased student who received funding from both the Office of the Premier and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The Office of the Premier paid R34,891.60 to the University of the Free State, which was deposited...