Parliament, Thursday, 6 August 2026 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, Mr Tebogo Letsie, has expressed serious concern about allegations that a former National Student Financial Aid Scheme board member failed to deliver laptops intended for under-resourced schools in the Eastern Cape.
NSFAS said in a statement that employees have opened a criminal case after a former board member allegedly retained 10 of 30 laptops that were allocated to six high schools during a donation drive in March this year. Each school was expected to receive five laptops for communal use.
Mr Letsie noted that, if substantiated, the alleged conduct would constitute a serious breach of public trust at a time when the entity is already under administration following the dissolution of its board. If proven, it would deprive the intended schools of resources meant to support teaching and learning. “Resources intended to improve educational opportunities must reach their intended beneficiaries. Anyone entrusted with public resources is expected to act with integrity and must be held accountable where wrongdoing is established,” he said.
The Chairperson indicated that the committee will request a written report from the NSFAS Administrator setting out the circumstances surrounding the donation, the controls governing the distribution of the laptops and the steps taken to recover or replace the devices. The committee will also seek confirmation that all six schools have received the laptops allocated to them and that any weaknesses identified in the donation process have been addressed.
Mr Letsie welcomed the decision by NSFAS employees to report the alleged misconduct. “Employees must be able to report suspected wrongdoing without fear. Such reports must be investigated fairly and promptly, while respecting the rights of everyone involved and allowing the criminal process to take its course,” he said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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