Leonard Lekgetho, acting head of the special investigation unit. (Photo: SOE)
The special investigation unit’s (SOE) investigation into the affairs of the Free State prime minister’s office not only exposed mismanagement, but also a “moral failure, a collapse of civic duty and ethical leadership”.
This according to adv. Leonard Lekgetho, acting head of the SO, who published an interim report on the SOE’s investigation on Tuesday.
The investigation revolved around the provincial government’s bursary scheme and revealed widespread exploitation of state funds, serious mismanagement and illegal spending, as well as policy violations amounting to more than R8.3 million.
Money is made available annually to Free State students who want to learn rare skills at higher education institutions. Instead of using all the money for this, the SOE’s investigation revealed that officials awarded bursaries to family members, the dead, foreigners and officials who did not qualify. Moreover, no account can be given of millions of rands in university accounts.
Unlawful approval of scholarships
The SOE’s investigation showed that officials approved bursaries in a negligent manner, did not meet the prescribed criteria, and unlawfully extended bursaries.
One official even awarded scholarships to family members without following any due process.
Some applicants have received bursaries for qualifications that do not form part of the programme. Others failed modules and rather than suspending the bursaries, they were extended from three years to seven years.
According to the SOE, its investigation also found that a student received a scholarship from the Free State Prime Minister’s office and the student aid scheme NFSAS. After his death, the student’s parents continued to use the money. They have no way to pay it back.
The investigation also showed that seven students who received scholarships are foreigners. Six of them were funded on a so-called merit basis as top performers, but the SOE could find no approval to deviate from policy on the awarding of scholarships – which are only for South African Free State citizens.
The investigation also found that civil servants received full-time scholarships to study at various universities. This while the scholarship policy states that officials can only apply for part-time studies.
“Bursary recipients received grants from the provincial government, with different amounts for local and international students. However, our investigation revealed that some students received excessive amounts totaling R1.8 million,” said Lekgetho.
“The prime minister’s office has indicated that it has already begun to recover funds from students who studied abroad but did not fulfill their scholarship obligations. To prevent duplication, the SOE requested that the office of the prime minister continue with the recovery and keep the SOE informed of its progress and outcomes through the office of the former director general.”
The investigation also found that officials did not monitor excess money in university accounts and that millions of rands were not used. The SOE has already traced and recovered more than R6.3 million of this money.
The SOE also received admissions of guilt from 18 students who collectively owe R1.9 million, after receiving scholarships for which they did not qualify.
The SOE made 38 disciplinary references against officials involved in the irregularities. These include, among others, human resources officers, administrative clerks, assistant directors, deputy directors and directors.
Evidence indicating possible criminal offenses by seven individuals has also been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for possible prosecution on charges including fraud, theft and money laundering.
“These referrals are not merely symbolic. They reflect the SOE’s unwavering commitment to accountability and to ensuring that those who have abused their power experience the full weight of the law,” said Lekgetho.
“The SOE’s investigation not only exposed maladministration, but also a moral failure, a collapse of civic duty and ethical leadership. Officials turned opportunities into exploitation and abused service delivery for their own gain. They betrayed the trust of the public and the vision of our democracy.
“However, through recoveries, disciplinary action, criminal referrals and systemic reform, the SOE is working to restore that trust. We are rebuilding the bridge between education and nation-building, between responsibility and justice.”
The SOE says it will also continue to follow up on every penny, every official and every case of misconduct.