SASCO calls for action into NSFAS corruption allegations

SASCO

Cape Town — The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has welcomed the investigation into the the claims of corruption against the Nationa Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

SASCO president Vezinhlanhla Simelane, raised concern on financial mismanagement and called for law enforcement authorities, as well as Ramaphosa, to act accordingly, eNCA reported.

“The South African Student Congress is aware of the numerous circulating reports of corruption at NSFAS, it must be, first and foremost, noted that as an organisation, we have raised our grievances with mismanagement at the entity.”

“These cries have, often, fallen on deaf ears, and have resulted in dire consequences and victimisation of our activists. It must be stated clearly that SASCO does not endorse, nor support, nor facilitate, any form of corruption, or misapplication of public funds.” he added.

This follows a recent investigation by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) that found that an investigative report and audio recordings implicated that Higher Education Minister, Blade Nzimande, and NSFAS chairman, Ernest Khosa, were involved in dodgy dealings that implied kickbacks were paid by service providers, EWN reported.

In response, Simelane said the exposure of NSFAS’ corruption comes at a time when they still owe allowances to more than 10 000 students.

“SASCO welcomes the investigation into the claims of corruption at NFSAS, and we hope that the investigation will have no adverse effect on the capacity of the institution to deliver services to students.” he said.

“We call for the harshest form of consequence management to be meted against any NSFAS or Department of Higher Education representative found embezzling funds destined for destitute and poor students,” he added.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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