02/06/2026
Premier Letsoha-Mathae Welcomes SIU Findings, Vows Firm Action Against Implicated Officials
By Staff Reporter
Free State Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae has welcomed the Special Investigating Unit's (SIU) findings into the provincial government's bursary programme, describing the outcome as a crucial step towards strengthening accountability, transparency and good governance within the province.
The investigation, which examined the administration of bursaries between 2017 and 2023, uncovered widespread maladministration, irregular expenditure and the awarding of bursaries to ineligible beneficiaries, including foreign nationals, relatives of officials and even a deceased student.
The probe was launched following concerns raised by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), whose 2019 and 2020 audit reports identified serious irregularities in the management of bursary funds intended to support and uplift young people in the Free State. President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the investigation under Proclamation 123 of 2023.
Addressing the media in Pretoria on 02 Tuesday, Acting SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho revealed that the unit is seeking to recover approximately R8 million linked to irregular bursary awards. The investigation found evidence of unauthorised allocations and governance failures spanning the administration of former Premier Ace Magashule.
Reacting to the findings, Premier Letsoha-Mathae said the report reinforces the Seventh Administration's commitment to ethical leadership and responsible governance. She stressed that allegations of wrongdoing within government institutions must be thoroughly investigated and that decisive action should follow where misconduct is proven.
"Public confidence in government institutions can only be strengthened when allegations of misconduct are addressed openly, and those responsible are held accountable," the Premier said.
In response to the SIU's identified shortcomings, the provincial government has already begun implementing reforms to improve oversight and transparency in the bursary programme.
Among the key changes is the introduction of a publicly advertised bursary application process designed to provide equal access to educational opportunities. Previously, many bursary beneficiaries were selected through nominations by political office bearers and heads of department, a system that often disadvantaged deserving students who lacked access to such networks.
According to the Premier, the new approach places merit and fairness at the centre of the selection process, ensuring that all eligible young people across the province have an equal opportunity to apply for financial assistance.
"We have introduced measures to strengthen oversight, enforce compliance and promote fairness in the administration of bursaries. These reforms are intended to eliminate opportunities for abuse while ensuring that deserving students receive the support they need to pursue their education," she said.
Letsoha-Mathae expressed confidence that the reforms would help restore public trust in the bursary programme while ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purpose — expanding access to higher education and empowering young people through education.
The SIU investigation has once again highlighted the importance of robust governance systems in safeguarding public resources and ensuring that programmes designed to benefit vulnerable communities achieve their intended outcomes. As efforts to recover misappropriated funds continue, provincial authorities maintain that accountability and transparency will remain central to the future administration of the bursary scheme.
