SOUTH AFRICA – Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Mimmy Gondwe, has commended the successful recovery of R112 million in irregular payments from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The recovery follows investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which identified funds disbursed to ineligible recipients. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) recently committed to resolving governance issues at NSFAS, praising the SIU for its actions: “We commend the SIU for actively clawing back irregular payments and sending a clear message that abuse of the student funding system will not be tolerated,” said Dr. Gondwe.
The SIU’s investigation revealed that 421 students from five universities and four Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges received payments contrary to NSFAS guidelines. These students have now signed acknowledgment of debt agreements to repay the funds.
The SIU attributed these irregularities to inadequate controls within NSFAS dating back to 2017. This resulted in misallocated funds that should have supported approximately 1,700 deserving students for a year. The implications extend beyond financial concerns, potentially hindering many eligible students from continuing their studies due to unmet financial needs.
Dr. Gondwe stressed the DHET’s commitment to addressing NSFAS’s governance challenges and improving the institution’s management. The goal is to ensure that only eligible and deserving students receive the crucial financial support needed for their higher education.
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