Call for Nsfas to implement stricter financial controls to prevent irregular payments

JOHANNESBURG - Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is urging the National Student Financial Aid scheme to adopt stricter funding processes to prevent irregular payments.

This follows recent revelations from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which reported recovering R2 billion from overpayments made to higher education institutions.

The unit also noted that about 40,000 students received incorrect payments between 2018 and 2021.

Makaneta implored the scheme to manage finances more efficiently to support students who rely on their assistance.

“We further call on NSFAS and the department of higher education to implement stricter financial controls to prevent irregular payments in the future. Transparency and efficiency must be at the heart of student funding to ensure that every cent reaches the intended beneficiaries," said Makaneta.