Blade Nzimande Says Jacob Zuma Hurt NSFAS by Announcing Free Education
- Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande has revealed the impact of former president Jacob Zuma's statements on NSFAS
- According to Nzimande, Zuma's 2017 announcement of free education for less fortunate students has hurt NSFAS
- Nzimande was speaking at a media briefing when he answered a question about NSFAS's poor performance
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Responding to questions from members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) regarding the poor performance of NSFAS, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Blade Nzimande mentioned former president Jacob Zuma.
Nzimande says Zuma's announcement in 2017 of free higher education for students who could not afford it caused problems for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The minister said that the former president's actions had subverted recommendations from commission (Heher Commission) appointed to research funding for higher education. The commission found the country had no ability to fund free higher education.
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According to the SABC, Nzimande said that the announcement increased the number of NSFAS beneficiaries and ignored work that was done by the Heher Commission of Inquiry into Higher Education and Training.
In the same media briefing, EWN reported that Nzimande spoke about the University of South Africa (Unisa) accepting extra first-year students. Nzimande wants the people who were responsible for doing this to be called to account.
In other trending political news, Briefly.co.za recently reported that Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula apologised for his comments made about Cogta Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma but snubbed Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
Mbalula released a statement retracting his comments about NDZ and apologising. He added that it was never his intention to attack or question the integrating of Dlamini-Zuma.
Further down the statement, Mbalula made mention of his tweet in which he referred to Mkhwebane as a 'hired gun'. Mbalula stated that he stands by his comments and is ready to meet Mkhwebane in court to defend his statements.
Mkhwebane had opened a case of crimen injuria against Mbalula for his remarks. Through Mkhwebane's office, it was revealed that the case was opened at the Brooklyn police station. Mkhwebane is at the heart of infighting in the ruling party as a Parliamentary vote on her fitness to hold office is coming up.
Reports say there needs to be a two-thirds majority vote in favour of removing Mkhwebane for her to be impeached. This equates to 267 votes.
A report by News24 stated that the ANC seems to be divided on the Mkhwebane matter. The report continued by saying that Mbalula is very active on Twitter and known for sharing his opinions.
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Source: Briefly News
