Probe finds inadequate controls at student funding scheme

The failure of South Africa’s National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to design and implement adequate controls led to irregular payments to unqualified students, writes Simnikiwe Mzekandaba for ITWeb.

This is according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), which looks to recoup over ZAR112 million (US$6 million) from 421 students that didn’t qualify for financial aid assistance from NSFAS.

The students – from across five universities and four technical and vocational education and training (TVET) colleges – have signed acknowledgement of debt agreements to pay back the money that was irregularly paid to them. The investigating unit has been probing allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of NSFAS, as instructed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, focusing on incorrectly funded students.
Full report on the ITWeb site