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The DA notes the appointment of Sithembiso Freeman Nomvalo as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administrator. As administrator, Mr Nomvalo will have the difficult task of restoring NSFAS’ credibility and resolving the challenges regarding the ICT interface, direct payment service providers, accommodation pilot project, outstanding allowances and close-out report. All outstanding investigations must also be dealt with, and steps be taken against any person found to be implicated.

What will make Mr Nomvalo’s task even more difficult is the continued deployment of Dr Blade Nzimande as Minister of Higher Education. Despite OUTA’s investigations revealing the Minister’s role in allegedly defrauding NSFAS through kickbacks paid to him and former NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khoza, as well as his party, the South African Communist Party (SACP), the Minister has refused to do the honourable thing and resign.

Furthermore, President Cyril Ramaphosa has also decided to keep the wolf in the sheep’s pen by failing to fire Minister Nzimande.

If the President and ANC really cared about the well-being of students, and ensuring thousands of young people can get jobs in the future, President Ramaphosa would have fired Minister Nzimande to bring an end to the scourge of corruption and mismanagement at NSFAS.

Issued by the Democratic Alliance