Students Demand Accountability and Justice in NSFAS Corruption Scandal. The recent dismissal of the CEO of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has added to a growing list of crises plaguing the organization. The CEO’s removal was linked to allegations of corruption, shedding light on ongoing issues within the financial aid scheme, particularly concerning the disbursement of student allowances.
Recurring Controversies in 2023
The year 2023 has witnessed the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) embroiled in a series of controversies. An earlier crisis revolved around accommodation, where accredited providers were found to be overcharging rent for funded students. NSFAS responded to this issue by introducing a contentious R45,000 accommodation cap.
Additionally, NSFAS has faced accusations of disbursing funds to “ghost recipients” and making erroneous charges to students’ accounts.
NSFAS Ongoing Crises
Adding to the litany of issues confronting NSFAS is a recent report that has not yet been made public. This report led to the dismissal of NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo, as it implicated him in the selection of companies responsible for disbursing NSFAS funds, suggesting a conflict of interest.
The overall maladministration within NSFAS has resulted in approximately 80,000 students experiencing delays in receiving their allowances. Sean Muller, Senior Research Fellow at the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study at the University of Johannesburg, highlighted that these problems have persisted over several years and across different leadership structures within NSFAS.
Despite increased funding for education-based financial aid, eligible students continue to face challenges in accessing funds when needed, which ultimately hinders their educational pursuits.
Public Calls for Action
Muller emphasizes the need to appoint competent and principled individuals in leadership positions within NSFAS to stabilize the organization, ensure proper procedures are followed, and achieve the intended outcomes.
The Economic Freedom Fighters Students Command (EFFSC) Leader, Sihle Lonzi, shares the sentiment that the recent crisis is a manifestation of ongoing issues within NSFAS. The EFFSC insists that the legitimacy of funding providers’ appointments, their banking licenses, and necessary certifications must be scrutinized.
The report has emboldened the EFFSC, which is now demanding that anyone with evidence linking individuals or organizations to the exposed corruption should report it to the police for further investigation.
Lonzi emphasizes the need for accountability, stating that those involved in the corruption must be arrested. The EFFSC is initiating legal action against NSFAS for fraud and corruption, emphasizing that addressing the systemic issues within NSFAS is paramount to resolving the problem.