Joburg – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration at the National student financial aid scheme (NSFAS) and recover any financial losses.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the SIU to launch their investigation in relation to two functions of the organisation and also recover money lost by the state as a result of the corruption, under Proclamation R.88 of 2022.
SIU Spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the first part of the investigation would look into the Scheme’s finances while the second part would look into 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.
The SIU’s investigations would also look into unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the NSFAS or the state, including the causes of maladministration.
They would 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.
“The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 April 2016 and 26 August 2022, the date of the publication of the Proclamation, or before 1 April 2016 and after the date of this Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, incidental to the matters or involve the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.” said Kganyago
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