R850m back to Nsfas

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) has clawed back more than R850 million following irregular payments made to public universities and technical and vocational education and training colleges.

- Oratile Mashilo

According to a presentation to the portfolio committee on higher education by Nsfas on Wednesday, funds were recovered through the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

This followed years of procurement failures, poor financial controls and non-compliance in the handling of student funding.

"Recoveries paid to date to Nsfas – R858 978 309.19," stated Nsfas.

This figure is part of a broader R2.06 billion identified for recovery by the SIU. The recovery process is aimed at institutions across the higher education sector.