FOSA CONDEMNS NSFAS COLLAPSE AS DEAD “STUDENTS” CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FUNDING

Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

By Tebogo Mashilompane
National Leader of Forum for South Africa

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) expresses outrage and deep concern following damning findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa, which reveal that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) continues to disburse bursary funds to 822 deceased individuals.

This is not merely an administrative failure it is a complete collapse of governance, financial controls, and accountability.

According to verified reports, these individuals were already listed as deceased in the database of the Department of Home Affairs, yet NSFAS continued to process and release payments.

This exposes a shocking breakdown in basic verification systems that should be non-negotiable in any functioning institution.

FOSA is further alarmed that:

Over 14,000 ineligible students — whose household incomes exceed qualifying thresholds continue to benefit from NSFAS funds.

Thousands of recipients do not meet academic progression requirements or already possess prior qualifications.

At least 321 individuals are “double dipping”, unlawfully receiving both NSFAS funding and social relief of distress grants.

This is nothing short of systematic looting disguised as incompetence.

While deserving students across South Africa struggle to access funding, are excluded from higher education, or are forced into debt, public funds are being recklessly mismanaged even allocated to the deceased.

This is a betrayal of the youth, taxpayers, and the future of this country.

FOSA DEMANDS:

The immediate suspension and investigation of all senior officials responsible for oversight failures within NSFAS.

A full forensic audit into all irregular disbursements.

The urgent implementation of real-time data verification systems between NSFAS and Home Affairs.

Criminal prosecution where fraud, negligence, or corruption is identified.

A transparent public report outlining corrective measures and timelines.

South Africans cannot be expected to tolerate a system where the dead are funded, the undeserving are prioritised, and the deserving are abandoned.

FOSA will not remain silent while corruption, incompetence, and negligence continue to rob young people of their future.

Enough is enough. Accountability must prevail.