The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is placed under administration with immediate effect following reported governance, financial and operational failures. Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela announces the intervention, saying it is needed to stabilise the scheme, address persistent problems and protect student funding. Multiple reports link the move to governance breakdowns and audit failures, including concerns raised by the Auditor-General, with coverage describing financial mismanagement and a “critical disclaimer” that points to serious weaknesses in NSFAS financial reporting and controls.
Under the administration, professor Hlengani Mathebula is appointed to take charge, with the stated aim of restoring stability and ensuring continuity of student support. Several outlets also note that NSFAS’s operational systems have been part of the failures cited for the intervention. In addition, reporting references ongoing political and union disputes around funding and reforms, alongside the administrative decision.
While outlets agree on the administration placement and the reasons given, they also report government assurances that student funding should continue without disruption as the scheme is brought under tighter oversight.
