Dr Blade Nzimande Must Step Down Immediately

10 January 2024

Higher Education, Science, and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, has once again found himself at the centre of yet another corruption scandal. The Minister would do well to hand himself over to the authorities following the latest allegations made by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).

According to Outa, Minister Nzimande and the Board Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Mr Ernest Khosa, received handsome kickbacks from service providers contracted to do work for NSFAS. It is alleged that millions of Rands have been paid out to both Mr Khosa and the Minister.

Minister Nzimande has been central to every controversy and failure of the Department of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation and the beleaguered NSFAS since his appointment in 2009, he has never been fit for purpose.

The IFP believes that the most recent allegation against the Minister certainly warrants swift action from President Cyril Ramaphosa, in requesting the Minister to step aside, while all law enforcement agencies conduct a full-scale corruption investigation.

Minister Nzimande has solidly run his department into the ground. It is high time that he resign or that the President exercise his prerogative in relieving him of his duties.

Issued by Mkhuleko Hlengwa, IFP National Spokesperson, 10 January 2024