The Public Protector recommended remedial action to be implemented by the individuals mentioned, including the President, Free State Premier, and Director General of the Free State, Kopung Ralikontsane.

The investigation report agrees with the DA's assertion that the R5.9 million paid for the late MEC for Education, Tate Makgoe, and his protector, Vuyo Mdi burial expenses were an excessive amount.

The Public Protector's investigation found that the procurement process violated constitutional and legislative standards, including the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).

‘When officials transgress the law, the DA will hold them accountable’

“The DA will continue to be an effective opposition in the Free State to ensure accountability and that residents get value for money from government expenditure. Where officials and politicians transgress the law, the DA will hold them accountable,” said Roy Jankielsohn, Free State DA Leader.

“The DA will monitor the recommended remedial action that includes that within 60 days the Director-General must institute disciplinary action against the four officials involved in the appointment of the service provider.”

“The DA will also monitor the action which includes that within 90 days the Premier must ensure that disciplinary action is taken against the Director-General of the Free State and report on this within 30 days,” he said.

Tate Makgoe and his bodyguard's funeral expenses amounted to R5,9 million. Picture: Bloemfontein Courant.

OFM News previously reported the cost of Makgoe’s three funeral events amounted to R3 432 676. Allegedly most of the money at the funeral was used for beverages, which amounted to R1 288 500.

Different artists charged R355 000, flowers were R59 000, twenty couches for the family and dignitaries at two events cost a total of R28 380, a casket and burial plot were R130 900, and various other items that included lighting, stages, red carpets, projectors, and toilets added to the total of over R3 million.

C-Squared made headlines for doing business with the provincial government while under investigation by the Hawks after allegations that its appointment as Macufe 2022 service provider was irregular.

ALSO READ: C-Squared in bed with Free State government again

The Free State High Court ruled that the Macufe contract, awarded by the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, was lawful and no irregularities were found on Wednesday, 3 April this year.

The spokesperson to the premier, Sello Dithebe, confirmed that the funeral events cost R3 432 676. The Provincial Government would like the cost to be viewed in context, given the stature of the deceased MEC Makgoe, who was known all over the Free State and South Africa, and multitudes of people from across the country were expected at his funeral.

News 24 reports Makgoe, one of the longest-serving MECs in the Free State, died in a car accident in March last year together with his protector, Warrant Officer Vuyo Mdi.

ALSO READ: Macufe contract cleared of all irregularities

Taxpayers forked out R159 000 for 2 000 “snack packs”, R95 000 for his tombstone, R84 900 for his casket, and R46 000 for a burial plot. President Cyril Ramaphosa accorded him an official funeral.

The Public Protector said that no evidence could be found that any approval had been sought for Mdi’s funeral expenses and “accordingly, the approximate amount of R1 000 000 spent towards Mdi’s funeral cannot be justified”.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh