Nzimande Guns for Action SA Over NSFAS Scandal. ActionSA, a South African political party, has announced its intention to file criminal charges against Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, and Ernest Khosa, the Chairperson of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board. This move follows the release of a report by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), which implicates Nzimande and Khosa in an alleged kickback scheme related to contracts at NSFAS.
OUTA Report
Outa report provides detailed information on the kickback scheme, citing recordings that suggest millions of rands were paid to Nzimande and Khosa by a service provider. The recordings also indicate a plan devised by Khosa to handle potential threats exposing their dealings. The corruption allegations are linked to contracts awarded to four fintech companies responsible for distributing NSFAS allowances to students.
ActionSA Response
In a statement, ActionSA expressed its belief that the information from Outa’s report constitutes blatant criminal conduct under the Prevention And Combating Of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004. The party has committed to reporting the case at the Lyttleton police station in Centurion, Pretoria, and emphasizes the need for a comprehensive investigation by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
Commitment to Justice
ActionSA underscores its commitment to ensuring justice for the nearly one million students affected by the alleged fraud and corrupt dealings. The party calls for accountability for all implicated individuals, including tenderpreneurs, government officials, and public office bearers involved in the syndicate.
Nzimande Response
Minister Nzimande has distanced himself from the allegations, emphasizing his innocence in the matter.
ATM President Request to Public Protector
Vuyolwethu Zungula, the President of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has written to the Public Protector, Kholeka Gcaleka, urging an investigation into the allegations against Nzimande and Khosa. Zungula emphasizes the gravity of the allegations and the urgent need for a comprehensive investigation by the public protector’s office.
Scope of Investigation:
Zungula letter requests a comprehensive investigation into the reasons behind delays in the disbursement of student allowances, examining systemic issues within NSFAS. The public protector is urged to scrutinize the awarding of contracts to service providers, probe broader financial mismanagement issues, and investigate the allegations of embezzlement by Nzimande and Khosa, as revealed in the leaked recordings.
Conclusion
Given the severity of the allegations, the call for a thorough and impartial investigation is paramount. The public protector inquiry is expected to shed light on the actions of Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS Chairperson Ernest Khosa, as well as broader issues of financial mismanagement and corruption within NSFAS. The outcome of this investigation will play a crucial role in upholding the trust placed in public officials and safeguarding the interests of vulnerable students reliant on NSFAS for their education.
