SASCO welcomes probe into NSFAS corruption allegations

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has welcomed the investigation into claims of corruption at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme ( NSFAS).

This follows a recent investigation by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).

The investigative report and leaked audio recordings implicated Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khosa, in dodgy dealings in the form of kickbacks paid by service providers.

SASCO president Vezinhlanhla Simelane said the exposure of rot within NSFAS comes at a time when more than 10,000 students still await their allowances from last year.

"SASCO welcomes the investigation into the claims of corruption at NFSAS, and we hope that the investigation will have no adverse effect on the capacity of the institution to deliver services to students."

He said the law must run its course.

"We call for the harshest form of consequence management to be meted against any NSFAS or Department of Higher Education representative found embezzling funds destined for destitute and poor students."

Following the corruption claims, NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khosa, took a voluntary leave of absence last week while calls continue to mount for Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande to step down.