Dukwana refuses to answer if R76m used to pay student debt was harshly spent to avoid it being returned to Treasury

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – While the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is investigating the office of the Premier of the Free State under Ace Magashule’s tenure over the bursaries, the current Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana might face the same probe.

In April hardly a month after succeeding Sefora Ntombela, the erstwhile Premier, Dukwana declared student debt will be settled and indeed on 17 May 2023, the debt of 1850 students was paid in full to the tune of around R78 million much to the applause of Free State residents and students beneficiaries in particular.

However, it’s alleged the money that paid the student debt was harshly spent to declare it unspent and risk it being sent back to National Treasury.

According to three sources, the office of the premier resources (people) was mobilized to put together business plans and approvals to use the money.

Another source said it could not have been possible for the office of the premier to do this in two months.

“This was done harshly and for political points and no government funding is done in two months because it’s not like this was in our plans.”

Our source said Ntombela called off bursaries last year.

Remember the backlash we got when we released that media statement only to distance Premier from it after the backlash? Ntombela would have run with it if it was in our plans.”

In the media state released by the office of the premier on 17 May 2023, Dukwana said he was saddened by a high level of unemployment.

“One is overcome with mixed emotions as long-suffering students finally received their certificates. While on one hand I was filled with joy and pride that the students defied the odds and managed to complete their studies, I was also saddened that we are faced with unacceptably high levels of unemployment.

The latest statistics paint a very grim picture. According to the latest figures, 32,9% of people are unemployed. This is quite worrying and all of us who wish to see our province progress ought to be concerned,” Premier Dukwana said.

The Premier appealed to all the people of the province, including different stakeholders, to help reduce the rampant unemployment in the province.

“Most of the unemployed are relatively young people. And much as I was genuinely happy, as any parent would, to see our students receive their certificates, I was equally gravely concerned by this stark reality.”

In seeking clarity on the criterion used to select students, if indeed this exercise was about to spend the money and he knowingly participated in this he did not respond to our send in May.

Ironically, in the state capture inquiry where Dukwana participated it was reported provincial Human Settlement department paid companies millions in advance to endure the money not spent returned to Treasury.

The Economic Freedom Fighters have last week opened a case with the police against Dukwana for allegations related to his tenure at Human Settlement as MEC.

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