Former TUT VC appointed as acting chair of Nsfas
The former vice-chancellor of the Tshwane University of Technology, Professor Lourens van Staden, has been appointed as the acting chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).
Van Staden’s appointment was confirmed by Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande on Sunday.
It follows the decision by Nsfas chairperson Ernest Khosa to take a leave of absence due to allegations of corruption levelled against him and Nzimande.
According to the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA, service providers awarded multi-million rand tenders to administer direct payment to students and allegedly paid kickbacks to Khosa, Nzimande and the South African Communist Party in return for tenders and protection for service providers.
All three parties have denied the allegations.
Nzimande said Van Staden will prioritise the appointment of the scheme's new CEO.
"I wish to inform South Africans that I have appointed Professor Van Staden as the acting chairperson of the Nsfas with immediate effect.
"I have already had a briefing with him emphasising the importance of Nsfas to prioritise readiness for the beginning of the 2024 academic year.”
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