Dear Editor
The DA calls on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to reveal how vetting took place for the student accommodation online portal service providers and student accommodation accrediting agents. Recent investigations by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) into tender contracts, revealed irregularities as well as the service providers’ inability to offer these services effectively.
Service providers have to pay up to R200 per bed for accreditation and an additional 5% of rental received to NSFAS for administration fees. The online portal providers and accrediting agents stand to make millions from these contracts.
The OUTA investigative report also revealed that:
- Student accommodation online portal providers are also student accommodation accrediting agents and student accommodation providers;
- Connected politicians or their family members were awarded contracts to provide accrediting services;
- Employees of the state received contracts to accredit student accommodation; and
- Some contract providers have links with service provider directors of other NSFAS tenders, who in turn have links with the former CEO, Andile Nongogo.
Most of the student accrediting agents do not have the necessary experience to render accrediting services and some were set up just before the contracts were awarded.
We have long been of the view that NSFAS has become a lucrative business for politically connected companies. Under the watchful eye of Higher Education Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, politically connected businesses have enriched themselves at the expense of poor and working-class students.
Investigations into the vetting of these contracts are important to root out systemic corruption at NSFAS and to hold those accountable for any wrongdoing.
The ANC’s reign of cadre deployment and corruption must be stopped at the ballot box on 29 May 2024.
Meanwhile, the start of the 2024 academic year was again marred by controversy at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT, Northlink College and Buffalo City TVET College, all linked to the student accommodation pilot project.
Regards
Chantel King MP
DA Shadow Minister of Higher Education
Leaf Assassin
Saudi Arabia: You have two cows. Because they are not allowed to be around bulls.
Tweety Bun Bun
Interview with a pirate:
There was a pirate who had agreed to do an interview with a local tv station. The reporter was very courteous and professional, giving a bit of background as to the pirate\’s business. She then began interviewing him.
\”So Mr. Longbeard, are there any risks to your business? I see you have a peg leg- how did that come about?\”
\”Well, y\’see I were sailing along the coast of South Africa, looking to plunder some locals when as I boarded the small boat from the ship, a great white shark came up and got my leg clean off. \’twas scary yes, but thus is the life of a pirate.\”
\”Wow, that is pretty scary- well, how about your hook? What happened to your hand with that?\”
\”Oh now that\’s quite the tale, y\’see I were fighting a rival pirate, and we had locked swords. We had been fighting for a few hours, and were both terribly fatigued. I had a bit of exhaustion and confusion, and when I went to block one of his sword blows, I met him with me hand instead of me sword. Took it right off, but it shocked him so much I managed to get him back pretty good and have him submit. So the hook hand was given as a replacement.\”
\”Wow. Simply fascinating. Now, what about your eye patch? How did that happen?\”
\”Well, one day, a seagull was flying overhead, and I looked up. It pooped right in me eye.\”
\”… Well wow. I must admit, I wouldn\’t think just seagull poop could damage the eye that badly.\”
\”Oh, I forgot to mention… it were me first day with the hook.\”