ActionSA welcomes NSFAS Board Chairperson's leave of absence amidst corruption allegations and urges transparent Investigation

11 January 2024

ActionSA welcomes the announcement of the leave of absence for NSFAS Board Chairperson, Ernest Khosa, pending an inquiry into allegations of corruption.

Following shocking reporting by OUTA, which revealed Minister Blade Nzimande and the NSFAS Board Chairperson as alleged recipients of kickbacks related to the fraudulent Direct Payment of Allowances scheme, we are pleased to observe that the wheels of accountability appear to be slowly turning, even while Minister Nzimande seeks to evade it.

ActionSA believes that the conduct of the entire NSFAS Board demands scrutiny, as they were all involved in the decision-making process that facilitated this fraud. This not only undermined the Tertiary Education sector but also directly disadvantaged nearly 1 million students.

Therefore, it is crucial to emphasise that while calls for the resignation of Minister Nzimande and the NSFAS Board Chairperson are justified, the entire Board must also take responsibility and resign.

It is crucial that the independent law firm appointed by NSFAS to investigate the allegations against Mr Khosa does so impartially and without fear or favour to ensure the discovery of the whole truth. We believe that Mr Khosa should not receive any form of remuneration during his leave of absence.

Following our filing of criminal charges against the Minister and Board Chairperson, ActionSA reiterates its call on law enforcement to ensure that every implicated person is identified and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Issued by Hluphi Gafane, Youth Forum Chairperson, ActionSA, 11 January 2024