Manamela’s no show also raised the ire of the EFF, who said his “refusal to be held accountable is not only a dereliction of duty but also a blatant disregard for the principles of transparency and good governance”.
The party said in a statement: “It is unacceptable that the deputy minister, a public servant entrusted with the crucial responsibility of overseeing the higher education sector, chooses to evade accountability, especially on a matter as critical as the financial aid that supports our nation’s youth.
“The mismanagement of Nsfas funds has had dire consequences on students and their families, with over 90,000 appeals still unresolved, leaving many young South Africans in a state of uncertainty about their educational futures.”
The EFF added that “the loss of over R5 billion from the NSF, which remains unaccounted for, is a shocking revelation” that demands immediate attention. “We will not rest until those responsible for the mismanagement of Nsfas and the NSF are brought to justice,” the party said.
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