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Steenhuisen calls for action against Nzimande over NSFAS corruption allegations

By: Natasha Archary

NSFAS corruption allegations
Image: John Steenhuisen on X

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has called for action to be taken against Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande following allegations of corruption at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

On 04 January, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) called for the resignation of Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande and National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Chairperson, Ernest Khoza.

This after the organisation obtained audio recordings allegedly implicating both Nzimande, Khoza and others in shady dealings including corruption and the mismanagement of funds at the student scheme.

On Monday, 08 January, Steenhuisen said the DA will not allow national government to get away with “this rampant corruption and attempts to cover up the theft of SA youth’s access to the opportunities they are constitutionally entitled to.”

“In the wake of damning allegations of kickback payments to Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, and the SA Communist Party (SACP) by service providers contracted by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), Steenhuisen leads an urgent call for action to hold Minister Nzimande accountable for this blatant corruption at the expense of SA students.

Since Ramaphosa cannot do so, the DA will step in to lead.

  • The DA will immediately submit a request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act to obtain a copy of the Werksmans report into the awarding of the direct payment tenders.
  • We will write to Ramaphosa and the Special Investigating Unit to demand that the scope of the SIU’s investigation be broadened to include the alleged kickbacks to Nzimande and the SACP.
  • The DA, including through our student organisation, will initiate mass mobilisation campaigns at campuses across the country to force Ramaphosa to fire Nzimande.
  • Finally, we are preparing criminal charges against Nzimande and briefing our legal team to declare the NSFAS board delinquent over the corrupt and irrational direct payment and accommodation tenders. This legal action is in keeping with the findings of the State Capture Commission, which recommended that it should become standard practice to declare board members involved in capture and corruption as delinquent.

WATCH: DA Leader John Steenhuisen calls for action against Minister Nzimande over NSFAS corruption allegations

Also read: Loadshedding suspended because it’s the ANC’s 112th birthday?

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