The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State has broken its silence on the long-awaited Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report into the province’s government bursary scheme, officially welcoming the findings while issuing a stern call for accountability. The report, which follows months of forensic probing into the disbursement of funds intended for higher education, has reportedly exposed systematic irregularities, including alleged favoritism, misallocation of resources, and possible corruption in the awarding of financial aid to students from impoverished households.
Speaking from the party’s regional headquarters in Bloemfontein, ANC Free State spokesperson Thabo Mokoena emphasized that the probe was not an attack on the provincial government but rather a necessary instrument in the broader struggle against maladministration. “For too long, young people from poor backgrounds have been denied their rightful access to education because funds meant for them were diverted or mishandled,” Mokoena said. “The SIU report confirms our worst fears, but also gives us a roadmap for correction. We demand that all those found to have acted unlawfully face the full consequences, regardless of their position or political affiliation.”
The bursary scheme, initially designed as a lifeline for academically deserving but financially disadvantaged students across the Free State’s townships and rural areas, has been under a cloud of suspicion for several years. Whistleblowers previously alleged that some officials awarded bursaries to family members, political allies, and even ineligible recipients, leaving genuine applicants without support. The SIU’s investigation reportedly uncovered irregular tenders, missing documentation, and a lack of oversight that allowed the system to be exploited.
The ANC’s stance marks a significant shift from its previous guarded responses to corruption probes in the province, signaling growing internal pressure for transparency ahead of upcoming local government reviews. The party has now called on the provincial Department of Education and Treasury to implement all SIU recommendations immediately, including criminal referrals where necessary. “Protecting public resources is non-negotiable,” Mokoena added. “The youth of the Free State deserve better than broken promises. This probe must be the beginning of real, lasting change.”
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