South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has reportedly been given the green light to investigate allegations related to the dealings of the Free State premier’s office, most notably during the tenure of the disgraced Ace Magashule.
The ANC’s National Disciplinary Committee recommended last week that the party expel Magashule, its former secretary-general, after it found that he had contravened the party’s constitution in 2021 by attempting to suspend President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Now News24 reports that Ramaphosa has approved an SIU investigation into the office of the Free State Premier, which is expected to shine some light on Magashule’s controversial bursary payments to students.
The report says the investigation will consider allegations over “serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the Office of the Premier; improper or unlawful conduct by employees of the Office of the Premier; and that unlawful expenditure of public money” may have occurred as a result of Magashule’s bursary scheme.
The “unlawful expenditure” relates to a 2021 City Press report that that a director at the Free State premier’s office during Magashule’s tenure asked for scholarships for herself and others to study in the US.
Magashule, meanwhile, is set to fight his expulsion from the ANC “to the hilt” and exhaust all avenues open to him, according to the Sowetan.
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Compiled by Robyn Leary
