Hon Chairperson, on 9 February 2010, the Sowetan newspaper reported that the MEC for finance in Mpumalanga, Ms Pinky Phosa, in collusion with the former head of the department, Ruping Tshukudu, allegedly presented false information to her department, which resulted in her daughter's boyfriend and lover obtaining a government scholarship.
The background of this boyfriend, Mr Bruno Vilane, is extremely remote from that of students who can be regarded as poor and in dire need of a government scholarship. The scholarship allegedly not only covers his tuition and accommodation, but also his meals whilst studying.
It is a known fact that the extremely limited government scholarships are meant for students in need of financial care and, therefore, through the Public Finance Management Act, efficient and effective use of these limited resources must be accounted for. Thus Cope demands a full report into these allegations. Thank you. [Applause.]