Student leader blames corruption for NSFAS woes

June 24, 2024 286 1

January 11, 2016.Student hold placard in protest of registration at Wits in Braamfontein Johannesburg.Picture:FREDDY MAVUNDA © Business Day

Student leader, Keamogetswe Masike, has vowed to fight for the students stranded due to NSFAS’ non-payment of their rent for months.

According to Masike, about 2 000 students have contacted him to report that they have been evicted.

The students are from various institutions, including the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).

Speaking to YNews, the current president of the National Students Forum shared some stories the students shared with him.

Hi President Kea Masike Im Zandile a student at UKZN.

I am evicted from Res because of my NSFAS please help me if you can 😭😭😭💔

Good evening sir, my name is Mbalenhle Khumalo, I’m a first-year student at UJ and I’ve been having problems with my NSFAS, my status has been on awaiting evaluation. The problem I have now is I’m being chased away at Res 😓

Good evening sir, I’m not sure whether you are in a position to help 😔im having issues with my nsfas. Pls help me, I have not received my allowances I don’t get a cent from home because both my mother and father are unemployed. The res I’m staying in is also giving me problems, they want me to go 😩😩 Plz help me

He says students are supposed to be focusing on their exams but are now forced to live under terrible circumstances because of NSFAS.

Masike was suspended last year as TUT SRC president while fighting against the problems at the financial aid scheme.

He says it is concerning that students are forced to pay the price for NSFAS’ incompetence, adding that corruption is one of the issues that are hindering the scheme from executing its obligation.