Cape Town –The EFF Student Command (EFFSC) has called for heads to roll following the recovery of more than R33 million from Northlink College by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) this week.
The SIU said it was informed by the technical and vocational education and training (TVET) college, that it received over R33m from NSFAS, but those funds were not allocated to students between 2017 and 2021. The cash was invested without authorisation.
“The TVET college stated to the SIU that it was fully aware that the funds should have been returned to the NSFAS, but Northlink College failed to do so. Instead (it) decided to invest the funds and would return the funds on request from NSFAS,” the SIU said.
EFFSC Western Cape chairperson, Sikelela Msizazwe, said the findings came after multiple protests by students who demanded their living and transport allowances, but were only met with “sheer arrogance and victimisation by those in power”.
“This is not only limited to Northlink, but also to TVET sectors. There is clearly a syndicate being run across all the TVETs in the Western Cape. As the EFFSC we are going to start by ensuring that a case is opened against the culprits of Northlink to send an example.
“We commend the SIU for its ability to recover the stolen money of students. However, we express our dissatisfaction that less has been mentioned about bringing the culprits to book and further expose them to the public,” Msizazwe said.
NSFAS on Thursday said it wasn’t aware of the developments and details surrounding the matter.
Northlink College’s response will be added to the story once received.
Cape Times