Political Parties Slam Cancellation of NSFAS Oversight Meeting

Courtesy of: Google @ OUTA

Political parties have reacted strongly to the sudden cancellation of a parliamentary meeting that was meant to focus on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, better known as NSFAS.

The Higher Education and Training Portfolio Committee was expected to meet on Tuesday, where Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela was due to explain his decision to place NSFAS under administration. However, the meeting was cancelled after the minister requested more time to complete his presentation.

The cancellation comes at a tense time for NSFAS. Some former board members are challenging the administration decision in court, while others have already resigned amid reported disagreements over leadership appointments, including the position of CEO.

Opposition parties say the delay raises serious concerns about accountability and transparency. The Democratic Alliance accused the minister of failing to prepare adequately and questioned why Parliament and the public were not given the necessary information ahead of the meeting.

The Economic Freedom Fighters also criticised the process, saying the late cancellation undermined parliamentary procedures. The party argued that oversight meetings should not be postponed at the last minute through informal communication channels.

Meanwhile, the MK Party called on the minister to step down, claiming he was avoiding accountability during a growing governance crisis at NSFAS.

The controversy has added to concerns about instability within the student funding scheme, which supports thousands of students across South Africa. Critics warn that continued disputes, court action, and delayed parliamentary oversight could deepen uncertainty around the institution’s future.

NSFAS has faced ongoing criticism in recent years over funding delays, payment problems, and governance challenges, making the latest developments a major concern for students and higher education stakeholders alike.

Done by Liema Nyengule