Central SA
SIU to investigate controversial NSFAS─── LUCKY NKUYANE 14:35 Fri, 26 Aug 2022
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is set to probe the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS) state of affairs over allegations of corruption and maladministration.
According to the SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the SIU to investigate NSFAS, and to recover any financial losses suffered by the State through corruption and negligence.
OFM News previously covered student protests from the top Free State institutions of higher learning, including the Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, the University of the Free State (UFS), and Maluti TVET College, among others, over NSFAS’ allowances which in some cases took months before being paid out, or not paid at all.
ALSO READ: Frustrated FS CUT students boycott classes over NSFAS
In some instances, scores of aggrieved students from the Free State-based Maluti TVET College in Qwaqwa went and staged a sit-in at the student aid schemes’ Headquarters in Cape Town over the non-payment of allowances for months.
ALSO READ: FS students appeal their case in NSFAS headquarters in Cape Town
One former CUT student previously told OFM News that she was forced to deregister due to the non-payment of her allowances by NSFAS for three months, including March, April, and May in 2021. She said she was forced to deregister despite submitting supporting documents, such as a lease, which includes details regarding the cost of her rent, and water and electricity bills. She said as a result she had accumulated a debt of R200 000 with the university.
ALSO READ: CUT students forced to deregister
“The SIU will launch an investigation that will probe maladministration at NSFAS in relation to two functions of the organisation. The first part will look into the management of NSFAS’s finances.
Furthermore, the SIU will also investigate related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the NSFAS or the State, including the causes of maladministration,” he adds. Kganyago further explains 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.
