The MEC for education, Bonakele Majuba, has recently requested the Special Investigating Unit to assist with a probe into the Russian/South African student exchange programme. Students from Mpumalanga studying at various institutions in Russia are facing expulsion and eviction as stipends, accommodation and tuition fees were allegedly not paid by the department.

On Tuesday during a media briefing at the Department of Education’s Siyaphambili Office Block, Majuba said he had requested a clear preliminary report by the end of November to look into the programme. According to him, the department had granted approval for two officials to travel to Russia this past Saturday to work with the South African Embassy in Moscow to assist in the facilitation of all due processes towards the resolution of the matter.

About 229 students who are still furthering their studies in 11 universities, faced expulsion and deportation, as their tuition is unpaid.

These learners are studying general medicine, engineering, IT and aviation. A week ago, reports surfaced of the challenges these learners were facing and the alleged lack of assistance from the department.
Majuba said the department was able to transfer R28m to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) to distribute it to the Russian universities for the overdue tuition and accommodation fees for these students.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Ballet to put on major production at Curro Nelspruit

“This international bursary programme was initiated in 2016, in keeping with the dictates of the Mpumalanga Human Resource Development Strategy, which intends to improve the skills base of the province. The department appointed Green Tutu, trading as Racus, to facilitate all due processes, which included the placement of students, payment of fees, accommodation, traveling and the necessary insurances for students.

The contract expired in March. In October 2021, the department issued tenders, inviting service providers equipped with the ability to disburse this responsibility to apply for appointment.

The tender was non-responsive, hence the department readvertised in the October 2022 Tender Bulletin.

ALSO READ: Jörg Schnarr murder suspect remanded in custody in KaBokweni

“It would be irregular to solicit the services of Racus again, because the contract had expired, and the fact that the Auditor-General had issued repeated findings due to non-submission of requested supporting documents from Racus. To this end, I still want to get clarity as to why it was not possible for them to submit the required documents.”
Majuba said they worked tirelessly to ensure that not a single student was expelled or evicted from Russia.
“We wish to ensure these students that the reasons the department selected them to participate in this programme still exist. As such, the commitment of the department and the province to this goal remains unquestionable.”