Statement by Dr Delmaine Christians MP – DA Spokesperson on Higher Education and Training:
The DA has delivered an urgent letter to the Chairperson of the Higher Education and Training Portfolio Committee requesting that the Minister brief Parliament on how his NSFAS intervention has led to this point, following a devastating High Court judgment that suspended his appointment of Prof Hlengani Mathebula as its Administrator.
Critically, he must explain how he intends to ensure that students suffer no disruption to funding, appeals, accommodation payments or other NSFAS obligations during this transition.
This judgment raises serious questions about the Minister’s judgment, his decision-making and the costly administration he imposed on NSFAS.
The Court found that the Minister’s failure to properly consider adverse findings against Prof Mathebula by the Nugent Commission, and his failure to consult the NSFAS Board on those findings, rendered the appointment procedurally and substantively irrational. It further found that the former Board members have a strong case on review.
Even more seriously, the judgment records that Prof Mathebula claimed in these proceedings that he had not faced disciplinary proceedings at SARS. The Court found the claim untrue, stating that he had been facing disciplinary proceedings but had resigned to avoid them.
These are extraordinary findings concerning the individual the Minister personally chose to take control of an institution responsible for approximately R54 billion in public money and the futures of around 800 000 students. The Minister cannot simply move on from this.
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