Dear Editor
The former National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, failed to leave a handover document for the new NSFAS board. This despite earning R5.5 million in the 10 months and 2 weeks he was contracted to administer the Scheme, as revealed in answer to a written parliamentary question from the DA.
Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, further revealed in answer to another parliamentary question from the DA that the former administrator’s terms of reference required regular reporting, which was provided, but failed to require a handover report, which was merely a professional expectation. Download here and here.
A handover report from the Administrator would have been of considerable help to the new NSFAS board given the numerous disclaimer audits and alleged mismanagement and corruption that caused the Administrator’s appointment in the first place. The new NSFAS board now has the difficult task of ensuring that NSFAS sorts is numerous problems without the insight a handover report would have brought.
The DA will submit a question to determine the exact terms of reference of Mr Nomvalo’s contract, as well as whether the Minister or the NSFAS board has reached out to him regarding the possibility of submitting a handover report, and if so, what his reluctance to do so is.
The DA will continue to seek accountability and transparency from NSFAS, as the hopes and dreams of students cannot be left unfulfilled due to gross maladministration.
Regards
Desiree van der Walt MP
DA Deputy Spokesperson on Higher Education