This follows after the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyako confirmed that President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the unit to investigate NSFAS and to recover any financial losses suffered by the state through corruption and negligence.

The EFF’s Mpumelelo Xulu says that underprivileged students continue to suffer as a result of NSFAS officials who use state money for their best interest.

He adds they are also puzzled as to why students who are able to pay fees and live above the R350 000 threshold are funded by NSFAS, while poor students don't get funding.

ALSO READ: SIU to investigate controversial NSFAS

Meanwhile, Kganyako says that the SIU will launch an investigation that will probe maladministration at NSFAS in relation to two functions of the organisation.

He says the first part will look into the management of NSFAS’s finances, while the second part will investigate the allocation of loans, bursaries and any other funding payable to students in terms of the provisions of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act, 1999, Act No. 56 of 1999.

He says they will also investigate related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by NSFAS or the State, including the causes of maladministration.

He concluded by stating that the SIU will also investigate any unlawful or improper conduct by employees or officials of NSFAS or the service providers in question, their employees or any other person or entity.

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