The province last week made national headlines following reports that contracts with a combined value of R2.7 million were awarded to Motheko Projects and Marvel Deeds, owned by Tshepiso Magashule and Thato Magashule respectively. Tshepiso Magashule is reportedly Motheko Projects' sole director, while his younger brother Thato is the director of Marvel Deeds. The scandal surrounding the awarding of these tenders by the Free State Treasury comes just days after President Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Khusela Diko took leave of absence pending investigations into a R125 million PPE contract allegedly awarded to Royal Bhaca Projects, owned by her husband, Thandisizwe Diko.

It's alleged Magashule's sons benefited from the provincial treasury decision as a result of their father's close relationship with the MEC for Finance.

Whilst the Free State Treasury Department has defended the awarding of tenders to Magashule's sons, stating that the companies tendered just like any other company in the province and met the criteria, the news has been received with mixed emotions by social media users and opposition parties calling for investigations.

National Treasury's presentation before the Standing Committee on Finance on Wednesday is expected to shed more light on how these tenders were awarded and what will be the next move from government.

OFM News