Trouble is lurking behind former Free State Premiers Ace Magashule and Sisi Ntombela.
This as the Special Investigating Unit is set to investigate the serious allegations of maladministration in the affairs of the Office of the Premier in Free State, as identified by the Auditor-General of South Africa in reports to the provincial legislature.
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The SIU probe was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa to scrutinise both Sisi Ntombela and Ace Magashule during their term in the Office.
SIU spokesman, Kaizer Kganyago, said the investigations would focus on the Office of the Premier's annual report for the financial years of 2017/2018 and 2019/2020. The probe concerns the approval, allocation and payment of bursaries including travel and accommodation.
The investigation will also look at stipends to persons who were not entitled or, to whom were awarded in a manner that contradicts applicable manuals, policies, procedures, prescript, instructions, or practices of the Premier's Office.
Kganyago indicated that the SIU would also investigate any irregular, improper or unlawful conduct by officials of the Premier's Office or any other person or entity relating to the contents of the investigation.
“The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 January 2018 and 9 June 2023, the date of the publication of the proclamation, or before 1 January 2018 and after the date of the proclamation that is relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involves the same persons, entities or contracts investigated," he added.
Former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule was given seven days, on Wednesday 31 May, to explain why he should not be expelled from the party.
This after he was found guilty of misconduct for failing to apologise to President Cyril Ramaphosa after he attempted to expel him from the party in 2021.
Former Premier Sisi Ntombela resigned from her position, on Tuesday 21 February, as Premier and as member of the Provincial legislature after the ANC provincial conference where she was defeated by the current Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana.
After her resignation Ntombela told the media that her administration was sabotaged by government officials.
