National Student Financial Aid Scheme placed under administration amid leadership dispute
via The Citizen2 min read
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme Nsfas has been placed under administration, with Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela appointing Prof Hlengani Mathebula as administrator. This decision follows significant institutional instability and a leadership dispute within the organization. The Nsfas board had supported acting CEO Waseem Carrim for the permanent CEO position, while Minister Manamela was accused of attempting to influence the recruitment process and urging a delay in the appointment. EFF MP Sihle Lonzi has formally questioned the minister regarding these claims, demanding answers on whether he instructed a delay in the CEO appointment and his legal authority for such actions. The disagreement over the CEO appointment led to several board resignations, including that of interim chair Mugwena Maluleke. Despite the resignations, the remaining board members maintained they were quorate and capable of making decisions, rejecting the suggestion that Nsfas should be placed under administration as they believed the legal threshold for serious maladministration or governance failure had not been met. Minister Manamela has denied any interference in the process, stating his engagements are part of normal oversight duties and dismissing claims of influencing resignations or imposing a candidate.
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