NSFAS must ensure R800 000 blunder is never again repeated

7 November 2023

The DA notes the high court judgment allowing Sibongile Mani to serve community service for theft of R800 000 from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) after it erroneously deposited R14 million into her account instead of R1 400.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recently revealed that more than R594 million were erroneously paid to 3 842 students between 2018 and 2021.

It is crucial that NSFAS review its information and communication technologies (ICT) challenges and consequence measures to prevent erroneous payments to beneficiary accounts, as well as mitigate the negligence of officials.

More than 100 000 students are yet to receive their NSFAS allowances this month. The DA has called on the parliamentary portfolio committee on higher education to bring NSFAS back to Parliament to give clarity on the issues of ghost students, the cancellation of the direct payment contracts, and how they will ensure that students are paid problem-free.

Issued by Chantel King, DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, 7 November 2023