R123 of 2023 – Office of the Premier of the Free State Province

The Proclamation authorised an investigation into the affairs of the Office of the Premier of the Free State Province. The Schedule to the Proclamation requires the Special Investigating Unit to investigate the following:

1. Serious maladministration in connection with the affairs of the Office of the Premier as identified by the Auditor-General of South Africa in reports which are titled “Report of the auditor-general to the Free State Legislature on vote no. 1: Department of the Premier” dated 31 July 2019 and 27 October 2020, respectively, and the Office of the Premier’s annual report for the 2017/2018 financial year in relation to-
(a) the approval, allocation or payment of bursaries, including travel, accommodation and stipends to persons-
(i) who were not entitled thereto; or
(ii) contrary to applicable manuals, policies, procedures, prescripts, instructions or practices of, or applicable to, the Office of the Premier; and
(b) payments made in respect of student accommodation, including the causes of such maladministration and any related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the Office of the Premier or losses suffered by the Office of the Premier.

2. Any irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by-
(a) officials or employees of the Office of the Premier, or
(b) any other person or entity,
relating to the allegations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Schedule.