In a significant move towards organisational accountability, employees of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have officially opened a criminal case of theft against a former board member for allegedly stealing laptops that were meant for under-resourced schools in the Eastern Cape.

The incident goes back to March, during an Eastern Cape Donation Drive, when the former board member, who was leading the scheme’s official delegation, allegedly intercepted and kept ten laptops instead of delivering them to the pre-identified schools.

According to NSFAS, a total of 30 laptops had been earmarked for distribution across six high schools and each school would receive five laptops intended for communal student use.

NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula expressed shock and indignation over the allegations and questioned how a leader in an organisation that aims to assist economically deprived communities could commit such an act.

However, Mathebula highly commended the NSFAS staff for taking a stand and pursuing justice for the affected students.

“This act by our colleagues is exemplary. It testifies to the fact that we are turning the corner as an organisation, as employees are reclaiming their organisation from the grubby hands of those who have been manipulating it for their own self-enrichment while our children suffered the indignity wrought by poverty,” Mathebula said.

He stressed the need for the scheme to strictly be associated with high-calibre leaders and employees.

Highlighting the harsh realities faced by children from impoverished backgrounds, Mathebula condemned the abuse of institutional power.

“It is therefore appalling to learn that someone used his position of privilege, being a board member, to steal from the same needy children. It doesn’t get worse than that,” he added.