The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has confirmed that they have signed acknowledgement of debt agreements with 421 students from tertiary institutions around the country who did not qualify for NSFAS funding. The said students owe NSFAS over R112 million.
THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY BACK
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said the parents and the students are cooperative and vowed to pay off the debt over a period of time. "The SIU is urging unqualified NSFAS beneficiaries who have not been in contact with the unit to come forward and arrange for repayment. In addition to the acknowledgement of debt agreements, the SIU has made progress in recovering unallocated funds, with the University of Fort Hare being the latest university to pay back unallocated funds of R277,666,450. This brings the total of recoveries to R1,165,887,062," he said.
EXPOSED
Kganyago said their investigation has revealed that NSFAS failed to do control checks on their administration and disbursement of funds. He explained that these control weaknesses had led to overpayments and underpayments of funds to the different institutions over the period 2017 to date. "The SIU is, in terms of Proclamation R88 of 2022, authorised to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NSFAS and to recover any financial losses suffered by the state through corruption and negligence. The SIU is empowered to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during both investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration. In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action," Kganyago said.
These are the amounts owed by students at different universities.
- Walter Sisulu University, over R19,9m
- Nkangala TVET: R342,672.50
- University of Mpumalanga, R33,6m
- University of Zululand - R58m
- University of Fort Hare - R277,6m
- University of Pretoria - R400m
- Majuba TVET College - R25,9m
- University of Johannesburg - R311,8m
