South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande has dissolved the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) board with immediate effect.
The funding scheme has also been placed under administration from Thursday, according to the ministry.
It made the intervention in order to improve the efficiency of NSFAS Board.
According to Nzimande, he will explain the reasons for his decision in a media briefing on Sunday.
This is coming after the board’s former chairperson, Ernest Khosa resigned.
Lately, the NSFAS has been dogged by challenges, including allegations of misappropriation from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA).
Thousands of students were left without allowances after the direct payment system was implemented in June 2023.
This backlash from students led to students protesting and rejecting the funding scheme.
Some returning students at TVET colleges haven’t got their NSFAS stipend across the country.
At Ehlanzeni TVET College, students without accommodation could be seen with their luggage, sleeping outside their hostels with blankets.
In October 2023, its CEO Andile Nongogo was sacked for interfering with processes to appoint service providers.
In December, OUTA released a report and leaked audio implicating Khosa in corruption.
The department confirmed Khosa’s resignation yesterday, after taking a leave of absence in January.