The 62-year-old retired public servant passed away after a short illness at her home in Bloemfontein. The office of the Free State Premier, the Provincial Treasury, and many other government officials, have expressed shock at her passing and sent their condolences to her loved ones.

Fourie is described by many as a dedicated public servant with excellent work ethics. Having served the provincial government for 39 years before retiring in 2018, Fouries rose through the ranks and became the first Provincial Accountant General (PAG) of the Free State Provincial Government in 2001.  

Both Premier Sisi Ntombela and the Provincial Director-General, Kopung Ralikontsane, have meanwhile described Fourie as someone who promoted unity in the province and understood what it meant to be a public servant. They described her as someone who did her job with absolute diligence.

Fourie is one of the former public servants who testified before the State Capture Commission of Inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo last year. Her testimony was regarding the controversial Estina Dairy Project.  

She told the commission that the non-reporting of assets regarding the Gupta-linked Estina project in the financial statements was one of her greatest concerns.

During her testimony, the commission also heard how the Provincial Agriculture Department was under pressure to make a R30 million advance payment to Estina in 2012 without following proper procedure.

OFM News