By Loxion News Reporter
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised serious concerns over the alleged misuse of mayoral bursaries within the Emfuleni Local Municipality, claiming the process may have been influenced by political patronage and favouritism.
The allegations, brought forward by Kingsol Chabalala, suggest that bursaries intended to support disadvantaged youth may instead have been awarded to individuals with connections to local officials and politicians.
Claims of Political Patronage and Unfair Allocation
According to the DA, the bursary programme appears to have deviated from its intended purpose of empowering underprivileged students in Emfuleni.
Instead, it is alleged that opportunities were unfairly distributed to:
- Associates of municipal officials
- Political allies
- Family members of individuals in positions of power
“This undermines fair access to opportunities and shuts out deserving young people,” Chabalala stated.
Transparency Concerns Over Bursary Beneficiaries
The matter has now been escalated to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, where the DA is demanding full transparency and accountability.
In its official response, the municipality confirmed that 65 learners have received bursaries over the past three financial years.
However, concerns have intensified after the municipality:
- Declined to provide a list of beneficiaries
- Confirmed it does not require applicants to disclose relationships with officials or politicians
- Stated it cannot verify whether recipients are linked to municipal employees or councillors
This lack of disclosure has fuelled suspicions of possible irregularities in the allocation process.
Calls for Accountability and Oversight
The DA has vowed to continue pursuing the matter through all available oversight mechanisms, arguing that transparency is essential to restore public trust.
Chabalala criticised what he described as a culture of secrecy within the municipality, warning that such practices may conceal deeper governance issues.
“It now appears to be another attempt to hide corruption within the ranks of this ANC-led municipality,” he said.
Demand for Public Disclosure
The party is calling for:
- Full publication of all bursary recipients
- Clear criteria for selection processes
- Stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse
The DA maintains that bursary programmes must serve their intended purpose—supporting deserving students based on merit and need, rather than political connections.
Community Impact
The controversy raises broader concerns about equal access to education opportunities in Emfuleni, particularly for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
If proven, such practices could have long-term implications for:
- Public trust in local government
- Youth development and education access
Accountability in municipal programmes
