By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
In light of the recent investigative report by the civil society OUTA and the subsequent remarks by the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, eZaga Holdings (eZaga) refutes any allegations of its involvement in discussions, reports or recordings related to this matter.
This is in response to Nzimande’s assertation that the OUTA report mirrors the state of affairs with all service providers post the announcement of NSFAS intentions to terminate the contracts.
Nzimande, said graft allegations at National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) against him are part of a fightback campaign linked to the success of tackling corruption at the scheme.
He called Outa’s report an attempt to tarnish his image as well as that of the department and the government.
OUTA is opportunistically colluding with the very same people that they were initially attacking as being corrupt.
In a statement eZaga said, it has never engaged in any of these discussions with any stakeholders, including OUTA .
“We reiterate our position that these allegations are baseless and would like to further clarify our standpoint about the report, and the statements made by the minister during his press conference:
Our firm stance against corruption:
eZaga Holdings, its directors, employees and board categorically deny any involvement in corrupt practices with the NSFAS Board or the minister. Furthermore, no discussions were ever held in a personal capacity by anyone associated with our company.
Our non-involvement in the OUTA report:
We reassert that we were not involved in any discussions, reports or recordings mentioned in the OUTA report. We strongly dispute any implication by association of our involvement in the reported discussions.
Our dedication to service delivery:
Despite facing challenges, we continue to be unwavering in our commitment to providing an efficient and comprehensive service to NSFAS beneficiaries. From the outset, this has been our core mission. We are committed to ensuring the seamless allocation of funds to those in need.
Ongoing legal proceedings:
eZaga has procured legal representation to address the allegations surrounding contract cancellations. The company is prepared to initiate further legal actions to defend its rights and reputation against any baseless allegations.
Our commitment to cooperation and transparency:
eZaga is open to collaboration, transparency and further discussions to resolve any concerns or misunderstandings. We remain steadfast in its mission to support education and make a positive impact on the future of South African students.
OUTA leaked a series of recordings alleging that there’s a corruption scheme operating within the Higher Education Department and NSFAS.