The Democratic Alliance (DA) has recently called for the resignation of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande due to the ongoing payment crisis within the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
This call comes in the wake of the resignation of NSFAS Chairperson, Ernest Khosa, and Nzimande’s subsequent decision to dissolve the NSFAS board and place the funding body under administration.
NSFAS, which provides financial aid to 1.2 million students, has been plagued by numerous corruption scandals that have directly impacted the delivery of services.
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As a result, students from various institutions across the country have not received their allowances and rent money for NSFAS-accredited off-campus residences.
DA Member of Parliament (MP), Chantel King, has urged Nzimande to follow suit and resign immediately.
She highlights the dire consequences of the nonpayment of student allowances, stating that many students are left hungry, without funds for food, and even face the risk of homelessness.
King emphasizes the urgent need for action to address the systemic failures within NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education.
She asserts that the DA has been calling for these issues to be addressed for some time, as it became evident that the system was riddled with problems. King also holds Nzimande accountable for the actions of the board, as he has previously defended their decisions.
The DA remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in all sectors of government.
The party believes that the recurring problems of nonpayment of student allowances and the alleged fraudulent activities involving kickbacks from service providers not only undermine the well-being of students but also pose a threat to the continued functioning of the higher education system.
King concludes by affirming that the DA will continue its pursuit of justice for those negatively affected by the mismanagement of NSFAS. The party is determined to hold those responsible accountable and to advocate for the necessary reforms to prevent such crises from occurring in the future.
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