Supra’s son may pay back R1.2m
Denel terminates bursary for former premier’s child claiming it was awarded against company policy
OARABILE Mahumapelo, 20, son of former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo, may have to pay back the nearly R1.2 million bursary he received from state-owned defence company Denel.
Yesterday, Denel confirmed that Mahumapelo jr’s agreement had been terminated and that the entity reserved its rights to recover the money paid.
“The pilot bursaries were not approved by the group bursary committee in terms of Denel’s bursary policy,” the company stated.
Denel said in terms of the agreement, the son of the former ANC North West provincial chairperson was paid a total bursary that would not exceed R1.15m.
The Port Alfred, Eastern Cape 43 Air School is not an approved study institution in terms of Denel’s bursary policy and the pilot bursaries were not advertised according to this policy.
Denel said the pilot bursaries were granted without following the selection process in its bursary policy.
Briefing Parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises, Denel board audit committee chairperson Talib Sadik said an investigation into the awarding of the bursary made several findings.
The matter will now be referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
When news of the bursary became public, Denel denied any impropriety and described it as ordinary. It was supposed to contribute to the “transformation” of the aviation industry.
At the time, Mahumapelo maintained that he had no say over how Denel awarded its bursaries.
Former Denel chief executive Zwelakhe Ntshepe signed the contract in January last year and resigned from the company with immediate effect just before Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan appointed a new board chaired by former Airports Company South Africa boss Monhla Hlahla in May.
Gordhan had asked Denel to prioritise investigating the allegations, establish the facts, and determine whether any individuals manipulated Denel’s processes or abused the company’s resources.
He also wanted corrective steps to be taken to ensure those responsible were properly held accountable.
Mahumapelo jr matriculated from Potchefstroom High School for Boys in 2016 and is also a keen rugby player.
Earlier this year, Mahumapelo undertook to repay Denel for his son’s bursary if such a decision was taken.
He also urged his opponents to leave his son out of their political battles and face him directly.