NSFAS Crisis to Board Scandals: 5 reasons SASCO wants Nkabane out

The South African Students Congress (SASCO) has called for the immediate removal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) of catastrophic governance failures that are driving the higher education sector into crisis.

Speaking at the ANC's Luthuli House on Sunday, Sasco president Alungile Kamtshe said, “We contend that DHET, led by Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, within the government of national unity, has consistently failed to deliver on its most basic responsibilities.”

As previously reported by IOL, Nkabane has faced criticism following allegations of corruption and for allegedly misleading Parliament about the illegal appointment of the SETA board, including false details about the appointment process and panel composition. 

Kamatshe said the crisis facing students today is not incidental.

"It is the direct result of poor governance by the Department of Higher Education and Training and the opportunistic, malicious, and poor bourgeoisie agenda by the university and college management.''

Sasco cited multiple failures under Nkabane’s leadership, including severe delays in NSFAS disbursements, flawed board appointments, chronic underfunding of institutions, and the growing commodification of education.

Sasco accused the Nkabane and her department of gross negligence, illegal conduct, and structural violence that disproportionately harms black, poor, and working-class students.

“We are left with no choice but to take a drastic stance in defence of the education sector that has been built through the blood, sweat and tears of the students and the public servants for over the centuries.''

Here are the five main reasons SASCO believes Minister Nkabane must go:

1. Illegal Appointment of the NSFAS Board

SASCO asserts that the current NSFAS board was illegally appointed, violating Section 5 of the NSFAS Act of 1999, which mandates that three out of thirteen board members must be nominated by national student organisations. The absence of these student-nominated representatives, SASCO argues, renders the board illegitimate and its decisions null.

“The Minister has failed in her duty relating to the appointment of the NSFAS board.To this extent, we declare that that board is illegal,'' said Kamtshe. 

SASCO plans to take legal action to compel the Minister to comply with the law.

2. Delays in NSFAS Allowances & Student Exclusion

SASCO slammed the catastrophic delays in NSFAS disbursements, saying that thousands of students are still without their allowances midway through the academic year. Many are reportedly homeless, sleeping in libraries, toilets, or on the streets, while institutions issue exclusion letters.

“This is not just bureaucratic incompetence. It is structural violence. Institutions are merciless and have been dishing out exclusion letters to add insult to injury.”

They demand the immediate payment of all allowances by the end of the current recess, and an end to financial, academic, and accommodation-based exclusions,particularly targeting vulnerable first-year students.

3. Mishandling of SETA Board

SASCO alleges the appointment of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards and Community Higher Education Planning Committees (CHPCs) was riddled with secrecy, misrepresentation, and possible dishonesty to Parliament.

“The Minister may have lied to the Portfolio Committee. The process shows a pure disregard for the citizens of this country.”

They warned that the delay in appointments has created a vacuum, giving executives unchecked power due to the absence of board oversight. SASCO demands that the process to appoint new boards to be restarted immediately and be completed by August 1.

4. Negligence Over Student Housing & the Death of Sisonke

The tragic death of Sisonke, a student at Walter Sisulu University, is central to SASCO’s call for accountability. SASCO accuses the Minister’s office of spreading misinformation, claiming Sisonke was not a student, only for the claim to be proven false.

“The officials that publicly lied, continue to earn their salaries. The death of Sisonke was in vain.”

SASCO demands justice for Sisonke, and calls for NSFAS to accredit institutionally owned residences, especially in historically disadvantaged universities where students live in unsafe and inhumane conditions.

5. Failure to Amend and Understand the Higher Education Act

SASCO argued that the Higher Education Act has not been reviewed in nearly a decade, despite major changes in the sector. They criticised Nkabane  for misleading students at UKZN by announcing an extension of registration,something she had no authority to do under institutional autonomy laws.

“A committed Minister would have been clued up on her powers and limitations as guided by the Act.”

They demand a comprehensive amendment of the Act to increase governmental oversight, student representation, and to modernise the legal framework in line with current challenges in higher education.

Beyond these five major reasons, SASCO outlined a series of urgent national demands.

These include the total write-off of student debt, the extension of NSFAS applications to accommodate students from rural and township areas, and the creation of outreach programmes that would provide support such as document scanning and access to commissioners of oaths.

They also called for the establishment of rape and GBV crisis centres at every institution of higher learning, beginning with NSFAS's immediate compliance with its own board composition requirements.

''SASCO refuses to play into the narratives of populism, grandstanding and political theatre. We have no other choice but to call for the immediate removal of Minister of Higher Education, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.''

hope.ntanzi@iol.co.za 

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