By: Natasha Archary

Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande has vehemently denied any wrongdoing on his part and refuted allegations of kickbacks at NSFAS.
Addressing media on Monday, 08 January amid mounting calls for action to be taken against him and the Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Chairperson, Ernest Khoza, Nzimande says the report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) was simply orchestrated with the intention to tarnish his reputation.
“The sole intention was to tarnish my image, and that of my department and government. I wish to once again assure the public that as Minister of Education, Science and Innovation I have never used any money from any of my department’s entities for the purpose of funding the South African Communist Party (SACP).
As you may be aware, the SACP has already made its stance known on the false allegations contained in the OUTA statement, and rejected them with the contempt they deserve.
I also wish to place it on record, that I do a lot of party-political fundraising, especially for the SACP, as I’m sure is the case with leaders of all our political parties.
However, with the strict guidance from the SACP, I am not permitted to raise funds under my department.
OUTA is opportunistically colluding with the very same people that they were initially attacking as being corrupt.
We are also of the view that the publishing of this report and the leaking of this recording is calculated to disrupt the smooth start of the academic year, and have no regard for the plight of poor and working class students.”
Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande has vehemently denied any wrongdoing on his part and refuted allegations of kickbacks at NSFAS.
Point of View with Phemelo Motene spoke to Investigations Manager at Outa, Rudie Heyneke and Nsfas Spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi.
Listen to the full conversation here:
In a damning report 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, shortly before Nzimande addressed media, DA leader John 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.”
Steenhuisen is calling for action to be taken against Minister Blade Nzimande following allegations of corruption at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
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