DA Demands Transparency from NSFAS on Student Accommodation Investigations

JOHANNESBURG — Date not specified

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has demanded that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) be fully transparent about its investigations into student accommodation management and partnerships.

DA education spokesperson Matlhodi Maseko questioned the validity of NSFAS’s legal review, expressing concern that it might be a “stalling tactic”. (DA statement)

Maseko accused NSFAS of failing to provide key details including the review’s specific focus, timelines, or confirmation that findings will be shared with students and the public. (DA statement)

NSFAS announced the legal review of accommodation payments late last week but provided limited information, saying it aims to “improve transparency, integrity, and efficiency” in payments. (NSFAS statement)

The scheme stated that all payments follow verification processes, noting: “Non-payment may result from claims that are not funded, claims lacking confirmation from relevant institutions, or cases where registration data was not received before the payment deadline.” (NSFAS statement)

Maseko acknowledged the review but said it was too late for students already facing evictions, unsafe conditions, and academic disruption due to payment delays. (DA statement)

“If this process is genuine and not simply a stalling tactic, NSFAS should have no hesitation in committing to full openness and accountability,” Maseko stated, demanding public funds protect student housing rather than “vanish into dysfunctional systems”. (DA statement)

NSFAS remained vague about when the review would conclude and whether results would be made public. (source not provided)

Editor’s note: The original publication date and location were not provided in the source material.