Pretoria High Court suspends Nsfas administrator, reinstates board
The Pretoria High Court has granted interim relief, suspending the appointment of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Nsfas administrator and reinstating the former board members. This decision is pending the final determination of Part B of a review application. The remaining seven board members had sought urgent High Court relief after Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela placed the entity under administration and dissolved the board. They argued that the minister's intervention was procedurally flawed and undermined the board's authority. The board members also suggested that the administrator's appointment was intended to prevent the appointment of Mr Waseem Carrim as CEO, a claim Minister Manamela disputed. The court ruled on Friday that Professor Hlengani Mathebula鈥檚 appointment as administrator is suspended, and the board members are authorized to resume management, governance, and administration of Nsfas. The board has welcomed the ruling, stating it will immediately focus on stabilizing the institution, strengthening governance, and fulfilling its mandate to provide financial assistance to students. They also committed to addressing emerging concerns and working constructively with the minister. Minister Manamela is currently considering the judgment, seeking legal advice on its implications and available remedies, while ensuring no disruption to student funding. This ruling follows recent scrutiny of Mathebula by Parliament's portfolio committe