Three employees from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) have been nabbed on allegations of fraud at their Wynberg office.
NSFAS executive administrator, Dr. Randall Carolissen, said the employees were arrested on Tuesday after allegedly stealing funds meant for poor students.
It is alleged they diverted student allowances to their personal bank accounts.
Carolissen said: “Since NSFAS was put under administration in August last year, as part of his Term of Reference the administrator instituted a number of forensic investigations relating to the general disbursement of student funds, student allowance, leakage of sensitive and confidential information and human resources related issues.”
Carolissen said it has come to the attention of NSFAS that there are people who are misrepresenting themselves and “posing as NSFAS officials soliciting applicants to pay a sum of money in order to have their application processed or have access to application forms”.
He said NSFAS would like to caution all students applying for the 2020 funding to be careful in managing their accounts: “We want to stress that NSFAS applications are free.”
TACKLING CORRUPTION: Dr. Randall Carolissen of NSFAS
He said the best way to apply for NSFAS funding is through a smartphone.
“If you are not able to apply or do not have a smartphone, you are safe to approach the National Youth Development Agency office, or the Vodacom Teacher Training and Development Centre for assistance.”
Carolissen added they have officials stationed at these ports to help with the applications.
“We are also going out into rural areas, in partnership with various provincial departments of education.”
He said NSFAS has set up a fraud hotline, called Vuvuzela, where people can piemp anyone abusing the fund.
To report any fraud, call the toll-free number 0860 247 653, SMS ‘Call-back’ to 30916, or email [email protected].
Cape Argus