By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced in a statement on Friday that it would probe corruption and maladministration at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).
This after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation giving the corruption-busting unit authority to probe the NSFAS.
The investigation is expected to cover the period between April 2016 and August this year but may also include any period relevant to the investigation.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said the investigation will look into two functions of the organisation.
“The first part will look into the management of NSFAS finances. The second part will investigate the allocation of loans, bursaries and any other funding payable to students in terms of the provisions of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme Act, 1999, Act No. 56 of 1999.
“Furthermore, the SIU will also investigate related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the NSFAS or the State, including the causes of maladministration,” he said.
Kganyago added that the conduct of officials will also come under scrutiny.
“The SIU will also investigate any unlawful or improper conduct by employees or officials of the NSFAS or the service providers in question, their employees or any other person or entity,” he said.
The SIU will also seek to recover any monies lost by the state as a result of any wrongful actions at NSFAS.
“The SIU is empowered to institute civil action in the High Court, or a Special Tribunal in its name, to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during both investigations caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.
“In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,” Kganyago said.
In February, Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts did not accept an explanation by the scheme that it had nothing to do with the erroneous transfer of R14 million into Mani’s account.
Nsfas board chairperson Ernest Khoza said the scheme had nothing to do with the matter, as it had not made the transfer to Sibongile Mani’s account and had not suffered any financial loss as a result.
However, MPs felt that Nsfas was the custodian of the funds and could not wash its hands of the matter.
In 2014, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande announced a forensic investigation into the fraud, corruption, maladministration and collusion in student funding at Nsfas. This came after allegations of students buying funding from Nsfas and officials who awarded funding to students who did not qualify for the scheme.