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NSFAS Administrator, Dr. Randall Carolissen (Jenni Evans, News24)
- NSFAS employees made serious allegations centered on mocked designation processes against NSFAS Administrator Randall Carolissen.
- Carolissen said this is intended to “discredit the administration.”
- The Higher Education, Science and Technology Portfolio Committee will continue to investigate.
Members of Parliament (MP) expressed their horror at the alleged mismanagement in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
In a nearly 8 1/2 hour marathon meeting on Friday, NSFAS employees briefed the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology.
This follows a meeting on October 9, in which the Nehawu union first brought charges against NSFAS administrator Randall Carolissen. Nehawu has since withdrawn from the process, after collaborating with Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande and NSFAS.
Many of the accusations focus on NSFAS appointees who have some kind of relationship with Carolissen, without due process being followed.
The employees said they were unilaterally transferred to other positions or removed from their duties and subjected to spurious disciplinary procedures.
At least 10 people known to Carolissen were appointed to high-level positions, allegedly without proper hiring processes being followed.
Carolissen admitted knowing some of them and said that he received resumes that he sent to the human resources department, but that he did not participate in any appointment process, unless it was someone who reported directly to him.
He said the allegations were clearly intended to “discredit the administration.”
One of the employees, who testified before the committee under oath, Kagisho Mamabolo, said: “We are not angry employees. We are not angry. We want the entity to move forward.”
Committee chair Philly Mapulane said the testimony painted a “horrible picture” of NSFAS.
“It’s a terrible, terrible image that I’m hearing [sic] “Up to here,” he reiterated. “It’s very depressing, actually.”
DA deputy Baxolile Nodada said it was “extremely gruesome” and the allegations of irregular appointments were very serious.
“History remembers the brave,” ANC MP Jane Mananiso told employees.
He said he’s very concerned that Carolissen, by his own admission, has sent resumes to HR and that everyone whose resumes he sent have been named.
IFP MP Siphosethu Ngcobo said it is clear why Nehawu did not attend.
He said:
I wish they were brave enough to support their members.
ANC MP Tebogo Letsie was also disappointed by Nehawu’s withdrawal.
“It appears the department does not supervise,” he said. “It shouldn’t even be on the Portfolio Committee. [the department] I should have fixed it. “
FF Plus MP Wynand Boshoff said what he heard was like a western movie with two narratives: in one, the small town is overrun with criminals until the new sheriff arrives, in the other everything was fine in town, until the sheriff arrived. . He said he will decide which narrative is correct after further investigation.
The committee will call some of Carolissen’s acquaintances who were appointed to testify before him at a future meeting. It will also take a close look at the NSFAS procurement processes.
The committee will eventually present a report to the National Assembly, which will be binding if adopted.
In July, the UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa, filed a complaint related to allegations of nepotism, racism and mismanagement with the Public Protector.
In August 2018, then-Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor put it under administration, with Carolissen as administrator. His term, extended, expires at the end of the year.
