THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has issued a serious warning about claims of corruption regarding accommodation in institutions.
Nsfas stressed that it wouldn't accommodate nor make arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers.
“Nsfas restates that it is against any form of corruption and bribery that is alleged to be taking place in some institutions, between accrediting agents, accommodation providers, officials responsible for accommodation in institutions and student leaders.
“The scheme will work with law enforcement agencies to investigate all these reported cases of corruption. Nsfas will conduct sting operations in institutions to ensure that students are not further exploited,” said Nsfas spokesman Ishmael Mnisi.
In another incident, Mnisi said they are aware of an incident involving their officials who were held hostage and intimidated at the University of Zululand (UniZulu) on Friday, 8 March.
“This incident happened after a meeting of the Nsfas Board Sub-committee on student accommodation, UniZulu and accommodation providers (APs) to discuss the onboarding and payments of student accommodation,” he said.
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Among other things discussed were issues relating to students and accommodation providers in the onboarding process for all Nsfas-qualifying students currently staying in various private accommodations.
Mnisi said Nsfas was considering measures to take against the accommodation providers who participated in this act of disregard at UniZulu.
He said Nsfas has called upon all institutions, both universities and TVET colleges and students who have not been onboarded on the Nsfas portal to do so immediately.
This is a requirement to ensure that accommodation allowances are paid without any delays. Failure to onboard students will result in delays in the payment of accommodation allowances, Mnisi added.
