DA set to lay charges against SA Minister Blade Nz...

DA set to lay charges against SA Minister Blade Nzimande and NSFAS board chair Ernest Khosa

**SA Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister,Blade Nzimande**

The Democratic Alliance has signalled its intention to lay criminal charges against Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister, Blade Nzimande and National Student Financial Aid Scheme board chair Ernest Khosa.

The NSFAS corruption allegations were made last week by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse.

On top of the NSFAS corruption allegations, DA party leader, John Steenhuisen, said he has briefed his legal team to declare the National Student Financial Aid Scheme board delinquent.

Timing of these fresh NSFAS corruption allegations could not come at a worse time as students all across the country apply for financial aid and scholarships for 2024. According to a report from Businesslive, there are two alleged voice recordings that back up the NSFAS corruption allegations. Links to which can be found below.

**SA National Student Financial Aid Scheme board chair, Ernest Khosa**

The meetings are allegedly between NSFAS’s Khosa and an unnamed service provider. The recordings are said to provide evidence that kickbacks were paid to both Nzimande, Khosa, and South African Communist Party, of which Nzimande is the chair. These payments were, “In return for tenders and protection for service providers,” alleges OUTA.

The service provider’s procurement to administer the NSFAS controversial direct-payment system remains questionable, reports EWN. As a result, calls are intensifying for Nzimande and Khosa to step down with immediate effect.

Wayne Duvenage, CEO of OUTA says: “The long and short of it is that there is a patronage network in South Africa that is fraught with corruption. And, we believe that people should be held accountable. This goes right the way to the top, to the minister.”

Moreover, OUTA says it is compiling a report for the Special Investigating Unit, the Office of the Public Protector, the South African Revenue Service and the Auditor-General’s office, to ensure prosecution.

Government spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, says the NSFAS corruption allegations are “premature and ludicrous”. Mnisi is adamant the allegations are untrue and that the minister, board chair and SACP received no such money. – The South African