LISTEN: Nsfas rejects calls for resignations of Nzimande, Khosa amid corruption allegations
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has rejected calls for the resignation of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and Nsfas board chairperson, Ernest Khosa.
This follows an explosive report by Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) allegedly implicating Nzimande and Khosa of receiving kickbacks from Nsfas service providers.
The report by Outa further alleges that R1 million was paid to the South African Communist Party (SACP) for its conference.
Nzimande is the Chairperson of the SACP.
In the leaked audio recordings, the Nsfas chairperson can heard talking to two men, whom Outa says are linked to some of the service providers.
This week Nsfas said at least 20,000 students are still waiting for payment of 2023 allowances.
The payment system to students all but collapsed after four new service providers were awarded the tender for facilitating direct payments to students in July 2023.
They are: Coinvest Africa, Tenet Technology, Ezaga Holdings, and Norraco Corporation.
Nzimade's spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi says the report by Outa is a political move to defocus NSFAS from implementing the Werksmans Attorneys' report's recommendations.
"The chairperson of the NSFAS board, Mr Ernest Khosa, strongly dismisses with contempt this voice recording and insinuation that he has received money, meant for him, minister Nzimande, the South African Communist Party (SACP), and other third parties," he said.
"While NSFAS respects the critical role played by civil society organizations, it is now apparent that OUTA is gradually drifting away from its claimed “high moral values”, and as an “impartial” organization by perpetually venturing into politics, informed by the quest to influence the South African political landscape."
"It is also a concerning trend that OUTA’s successive “investigative” reports are characterized by advocacy for the business interest of some individuals and companies who might have unsuccessfully attempted to solicit business from NSFAS."
Outa's investigation manager, Rudie Heyneke, says they will be calling on President Ramaphosa to fire them immediately.
"Apart from sharing the recordings and investigation report with authorities and writing to President Ramaphosa requesting Nzimande’s removal as a cabinet minister and Khosa’s removal as NSFAS chairperson."
“We expect the SAPS to thoroughly investigate the corruption charges that OUTA will submit,”
ALSO READ:
