The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has once again exposed a shocking report into the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), demanding the immediate resignation of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS Board chairperson Ernest Khosa.
The NGO recently released a series of leaked voice recordings that shed light on alleged bribery and corruption within the organization.
The leaked recordings, obtained from a whistleblower, unveil discussions in which Nzimande and Khosa are said to have received millions in bribes from NSFAS service providers. These revelations have prompted OUTA to call for a thorough investigation into the higher education sector’s pervasive web of corruption.
One of the primary concerns raised by OUTA is the appointment of four direct payment service providers, namely Coinvest Africa (Pty) Ltd, Tenet Technology (Pty) Ltd, Ezaga Holdings (Pty) Ltd, and Norraco Corporation (Pty) Ltd.
OUTA’s report highlights that none of these appointed service providers possessed the necessary qualifications or expertise to effectively distribute allowances to students.
As a result of OUTA’s investigation, Werkmans Attorney’s conducted their own inquiry and subsequently cancelled the contracts of the four service providers. The lack of transparency and due diligence in the selection process is deeply troubling and raises questions about the integrity of the entire system.
Rudie Heyneke, OUTA’s head of investigations, emphasizes the need for a comprehensive investigation into the corruption within the higher education sector.
Heyneke points out that the leaked recordings provide evidence of Nzimande’s concerns about the exposure of his relationship with the service providers. There are suspicions that investigators may have been monitoring their cell phone activity to ascertain any meetings between the minister, the chairperson, and the service providers.
The recordings also shed light on discussions surrounding criminal charges against Khosa during his tenure as the CEO of the Mpumalanga Economic Empowerment Commission. Heyneke mentions that Khosa allegedly openly mentioned a bribe of R6 million in the presence of another NSFAS board member and former president of SASCO, Bamanye Matiwane.
Furthermore, Heyneke reveals that Ntumba, another individual mentioned in the recordings, had a meeting with Nzimande and his special advisor, Nqaba Nqandela. The details of this meeting remain undisclosed.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: FS Premier Welcomes Arrests In Machaka Radebe Murder Case
The revelations contained within these leaked voice recordings are deeply concerning and raise serious doubts about the integrity and accountability of the NSFAS and those responsible for overseeing it. The immediate resignation of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS Board Chairperson Ernest Khosa is essential to restore public trust and ensure a thorough investigation into the corruption allegations.
OUTA’s continuous efforts to expose corruption within the public sector are commendable, and their reports serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government institutions. It is imperative that swift action is taken to address these allegations and prevent further damage to the higher education sector.
 and the demand for the resignation of Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS Board chairperson Ernest Khosa.){kind=link}