According to the investigation conducted by the Public Protector, serious systemic problems have been identified in the administration of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), including payment delays, unresolved student issues, and weak management practices that affect access to higher education.
Data presented by the Public Protector indicates that over 40,000 students across 76 higher education institutions received incorrect funding totaling approximately 5.1 billion rand. These findings were announced by the Public Protector's advocate, Holeke Gkaleka, on Tuesday during a notification under section 7(9).
The sum of 5.1 billion rand is based on an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in accordance with Proclamation R88 of 2022, which was submitted to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts. The Public Protector noted that the SIU investigation revealed more than 40,000 students receiving incorrect funding in 76 institutions, with recovery amounts exceeding 2 billion rand.
Gkaleka stated that the findings, along with complaints received in her office, stakeholder engagement, and other oversight results, confirm 'prima facie evidence of probable systemic mismanagement,' requiring further investigation. The review examined NSFAS, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), educational institutions, and other key sector participants.
The investigation began after complaints regarding NSFAS were received concerning administrative shortcomings that impede students' access to financial aid and, consequently, higher education. Analyzing these complaints allowed the Public Protector's office to identify broader issues within the higher education sector.
Gkaleka pointed out that among the problems were insufficient provision of funds for students in need of tuition fees; inefficiency and improper management of existing funding mechanisms; difficulties with student accommodation; and criteria for funding and delays in benefit payments.
The Public Protector emphasized that these issues are not isolated incidents affecting individual students or institutions but reflect recurring patterns of administrative failures across the entire sector.