The SIU's Major Recovery: Uncovering R1.7 Billion in Misallocated Funds

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), South Africa's premier anti-corruption body, has made headlines by recovering more than R1.7 billion in unspent and misallocated funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This recovery, part of a broader R2 billion reclaimed to date, stems from an investigation launched under Proclamation R88 of 2022 into allegations of corruption, fraud, and maladministration at NSFAS. These funds, originally intended for eligible students at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, had been sitting idle or improperly retained due to systemic weaknesses spanning 2016 to 2021.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago explained that the money was designated for students who qualified for funding but later deregistered, changed institutions, or were otherwise unqualified. Institutions held onto these funds beyond the standard one-year period because NSFAS lacked robust reconciliation processes. This breakthrough not only bolsters NSFAS's coffers but signals the start of a comprehensive overhaul aimed at restoring trust and efficiency in student funding for higher education.

What is NSFAS and Its Critical Role in South African Higher Education?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government program established to provide financial assistance to low-income South African students pursuing undergraduate studies at public universities and TVET colleges. Covering tuition, accommodation, living allowances, and learning materials, NSFAS has been instrumental in democratizing access to post-school education since its inception.

In recent years, NSFAS has funded over 1 million students annually, accounting for about 40% of undergraduate enrollment at universities and 70% at TVET colleges. For 2026, NSFAS approved funding for 660,039 first-time students, with disbursements exceeding R4.2 billion upfront to institutions even before the academic year began. However, persistent challenges like payment delays and mismanagement have sparked protests and dropout risks, underscoring the urgency of reforms.

Roots of the Crisis: Intermediaries, Ghost Billing, and Weak Controls

The SIU probe revealed two primary structural flaws: the 'Solution Provider' intermediary model, where third-party companies handled payments between NSFAS and students, and inadequately enforced Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) with institutions. These gaps enabled 'ghost billing'—overcharging for unoccupied beds—and other abuses, leading to billions in losses.

Prior issues, highlighted in the Werksmans Attorneys report, included conflicts of interest in appointing direct payment service providers, resulting in the termination of former CEO Andile Nongogo's contract. Cases of payments to deceased students and unqualified beneficiaries further eroded confidence. Minister Buti Manamela described these as 'corruption of the highest order,' prompting immediate governance interventions.

Recovery Breakdown: Hits to Universities, TVET Colleges, and Beneficiaries

The R1.7 billion was clawed back from specific sources, demonstrating widespread accountability. Key recoveries include:

• University of Pretoria: R400 million
• University of the Witwatersrand: R450 million
• University of Fort Hare: R277.7 million
• University of the Free State: R507.9 million (two payments)
• Various TVET colleges like Motheo (R38.7m), Majuba (R25.9m), Northlink (R33.4m)
• R126.5 million from 1,055 parents and unqualified beneficiaries

These funds, unclaimed for years due to poor tracking, are now redirected to support 2026 students, easing pressure on cash-strapped institutions.

Governance Shake-Up: From Board Dissolution to New Leadership

In response, the NSFAS board was dissolved in 2024 under former Minister Blade Nzimande, with a new board appointed in March 2025 tasked with a turnaround strategy. The Werksmans report's findings on procurement irregularities sealed the CEO's fate, paving the way for stronger internal controls and SIU-led consequence management against implicated parties.

Minister Manamela has reaffirmed support for the SIU's mandate, emphasizing financial integrity as NSFAS processes record applications for 2026—over 893,000 first-time entries, with 660,000 approved.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Flagship Reform: Direct Payment Model Rolls Out in 2026

The cornerstone of the overhaul is the direct payment model, effective 2026, where NSFAS disburses allowances and accommodation costs straight to students' bank accounts and verified providers. This eliminates intermediaries prone to ghost billing and overcharging.

Revised MOAs mandate institutions to verify registrations and reconcile finances rigorously. Early signs are positive: R3.6 billion to universities and R679 million to TVET colleges disbursed by February 2026, with further R621 million in April TVET allowances reaching 200,000+ students. For more on SIU's role, visit the SIU NSFAS investigation page.

Effects on South African Universities: Stabilizing Amid Capacity Strains

Public universities like Wits, UP, and Fort Hare faced significant recoveries but benefit from upfront disbursements, reducing debt burdens. However, capacity remains a bottleneck—only 235,000 spaces for 500,000+ bachelor-pass matriculants in 2026, forcing many to TVETs.

Protests at DUT, CPUT, and UCT over delays highlight ongoing tensions, but reforms promise fewer disruptions. New universities in Ekurhuleni and Hammanskraal aim to add capacity soon.

TVET Colleges: Gaining Momentum as Key Access Route

TVET colleges, enrolling 33% of NSFAS students, received substantial recoveries (e.g., Motheo, Northlink) and 20% upfront tuition by January 2026. With 70% of TVET undergrads NSFAS-funded, they serve as vital alternatives amid university shortages.

Reforms enhance verification, curbing misuse while expanding vocational pathways. Minister Manamela stresses TVETs' role for unplaced bachelor-pass holders.

Student Stories: From Protests to Renewed Hope

Many students endured 2025 delays, pawning belongings or protesting at universities like DUT (5,000 affected). 2026 improvements—timely upfront payments and direct disbursements—offer relief, though appeals backlog (100k+) persists.

Success stories emerge: 692,704 first-time approvals, R6.3 billion disbursed by March. Yet, experts urge sustained monitoring for equity.

2026 Funding Triumph: Record Approvals and Disbursements

NSFAS approved 660k first-time students (universities ~40%, TVET ~60% implied), plus continuing, totaling 1.24M funded. R4.2bn upfront ensured smooth starts, a leap from prior chaos. Check detailed stats at gov.za NSFAS update.

Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

Looking Ahead: Challenges, Expansions, and Expert Insights

While reforms show promise, experts like those from University World News warn of ongoing capacity gaps and verification needs. Planned Central Application Service (2026) and new unis signal optimism.

Stakeholders, including unions like NEHAWU, hail recoveries but demand prosecutions. With direct payments live, NSFAS eyes sustainable funding for equitable higher ed access.