ActionSA said it welcomed the dissolution of the NSFAS Board along with the resignation of Chairperson, Ernest Khoza, following a meeting held on Thursday between Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande and the NSFAS Board.
Prior to the meeting, the department had issued a statement acknowledging concerns over the recurring problem of non-payment of student allowances by NSFAS.
However, the Herman Mashaba-led party reiterated its demand for the “immediate resignation” of Nzimande.
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“While we welcome both developments, ActionSA believes that the collective should not be under any illusion that they have evaded accountability. As our criminal charges are being investigated by the police, we extend the invitation to the Minister Blade Nzimande to also resign immediately,” ActionSA stated.
The party filed criminal charges against the Minister and former Board Chairperson following their alleged involvement in a corrupt scheme related to the direct payment of student allowances.
“We have long called for the Minister and NSFAS Board to be held accountable for their disastrous introduction of the fraudulent direct payment of allowances scheme, which was nothing but an elaborate con orchestrated by tenderpreneurs in cahoots with NSFAS officials to siphon billions from the financial aid scheme.”
Many TVET colleges and universities across the country have reportedly failed to comply with the NSFAS deadline for the submission of student registration data to facilitate the payment of allowances.
The department said this has largely contributed to the latest student protests.
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