KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thami Ntuli has announced a full reassessment of the province’s R100-million Youth Fund following allegations of political interference and irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries. The decision comes alongside the resignation of the former Director-General (DG) of the Premier’s Office, Dr. Nonhlanhla Khoza, and another senior official amid claims of internal clashes and questionable approvals.
Fund Under Scrutiny
The Youth Fund, aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs with grants ranging from under R50,000 for start-ups to R2 million for business expansions, has faced criticism over its selection process. Opposition parties and stakeholders had raised concerns about fairness and transparency before the beneficiaries were announced.
Premier Ntuli, addressing recipients at a workshop in Durban, acknowledged the need to restore confidence in the initiative. “The reassessment is to ensure the integrity of the process,” he said. While expressing confidence in the former DG and officials involved, Ntuli emphasized that any beneficiaries found to have been wrongfully approved would be disqualified and given a chance to reapply in future phases.
Resignations and Allegations
The controversy deepened with the resignation of Dr. Khoza, who reportedly clashed with a senior manager over alleged pressure to approve irregular applications. Media reports suggested her resignation was linked to gender-based workplace conflict, which the Premier denied, stating she resigned voluntarily without citing grievances in her letter.
Ntuli confirmed that both Dr. Khoza and the accused official had resigned, with investigations ongoing into an alleged altercation between them. “My office does not tolerate gender-based violence,” he said, pledging to review witness statements and CCTV footage to determine the facts.
Next Steps
The Premier assured that the Youth Fund—critical for tackling youth unemployment in KZN—would continue after the review, with strengthened oversight. Meanwhile, an acting DG will oversee the fund’s operations.
Dr. Khoza has yet to publicly respond to the Premier’s remarks, while opposition parties demand accountability. As the probe unfolds, the provincial government faces mounting pressure to ensure transparency in one of its flagship economic empowerment programs.
