By 
BLOEMFONTEIN — The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed a scathing report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that exposes gross irregularities within the Free State Premier’s office bursary scheme.
The SIU’s probe into the 2017/18 bursary report uncovered R8 million in improperly allocated funds, specifically involving flagrant deviations from bursary policies regarding travel, accommodation, and stipends. In response to the findings, the unit has issued 38 disciplinary referrals against implicated officials.
A Legacy of Accountability Deficits
For years, the controversial international bursary scheme has been a lightning rod for criticism. The DA noted that it has questioned the scheme’s lack of oversight and accountability since its inception.
The newly released SIU findings add to a mounting pile of grievances surrounding how the Premier’s office managed hundreds of millions of rands in student funding. Between the 2014/15 and 2017/18 financial years, the provincial government funnelled a staggering R464,710,873.88 into international tertiary institutions.
Among the most contentious allocations was a total of R69,278,755 directed to Bahcesehir University, a privately owned institution in Turkey. Notably, this is the same university that awarded former Free State Premier Ace Magashule an honorary doctorate. Further allegations of nepotism have also resurfaced, including claims that a former MEC abused the scheme to fund a family member’s education at Turkey’s Mevlana University.
International Bursary Expenditure Breakdown:
• 2014/15: R107,868,000.00
• 2015/16: R117,870,228.88
• 2016/17: R147,202,996.00
• 2017/18: R91,769,649.00
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Total Spent: R464,710,873.88
(Source: DA Free State Statement on SIU Report)
Dashed Dreams and Fruitless Expenditure
The real tragedy of the mismanagement, however, lands on Free State students. According to DA Free State Leader Roy Jankielsohn, the massive capital flight to overseas institutions directly deprived local youth.
“Money spent at international universities, as well as abused funds, could have funded many students at local tertiary institutions in the Free State, which would circulate this money in the province,” Jankielsohn stated.
Furthermore, the initiative has left many returning scholars in professional limbo. A significant number of students—including medical graduates—have returned to South Africa only to find that their international degrees are not accredited locally, rendering the provincial expenditure entirely fruitless and wasteful.
The Road Ahead
As the 38 disciplinary referrals move forward, the opposition vows to maintain a tight grip on provincial education spending. The DA has re-committed to scrutinizing every cent of taxpayer funds to ensure that future allocations provide genuine value for money and directly benefit the residents of the Free State.
