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Today the DA laid criminal charges against the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, for his role in allegedly defrauding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) through kickbacks paid to him, NSFAS board chairperson, Ernest Khoza, and the South African Communist Party (SACP).

This alleged corruption was revealed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) in a report and leaked audio recordings of meetings between Khosa, Thula Ntumba – the husband of Tshegofatso Ntumba, a director at Coinvest, which is one of the four NSFAS direct payment service providers – and an unnamed third party. These recordings allegedly reveal discussions about the appointment of Werksmans Attorneys in order to try and manipulate the outcome of the NSFAS investigation, payments to the SACP, Minister Nzimande, as well as Khoza.

Yesterday, Minister Nzimande squandered his opportunity to take the public into his confidence. He provided no evidence to contradict OUTA’s allegations and assure vulnerable students who depend on NSFAS or the public at large that he hasn’t willfully risked their futures to enrich himself and his comrades.

Issued by Karabo Khakhau MP - DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation