JOHANNESBURG - The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has welcomed a Labour Court judgment ordering a University of Johannesburg official to repay R18 million linked to alleged kickbacks in the management of accommodation for NSFAS-funded students.
The properties at the centre of the allegations were accredited and leased through UJ, rather than directly by NSFAS.
NSFAS said the judgment should pave the way for law enforcement authorities to pursue criminal charges against those implicated.
“Law enforcement should act swiftly to ensure that criminal charges follow,” NSFAS said.
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The scheme said it regarded allegations of fraud, corruption, abuse of public funds and the exploitation of NSFAS-funded students as matters of serious concern.
“Fraud, corruption, abuse of public funds and exploitation of NSFAS-funded students are treated with the utmost seriousness, and those responsible must be held to account where wrongdoing is proven and any funds found to have been improperly obtained are recovered,” NSFAS said.
The scheme said the recovery of funds and accountability for proven wrongdoing were important to protecting public resources and the interests of NSFAS-funded students.
The Labour Court order follows allegations surrounding the handling of student accommodation arrangements and payments connected to properties managed through UJ.
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