NSFAS Lays Criminal Charges Against Former Board Member Who Stole 10 Student Laptops
- NSFAS opened criminal charges against a former board member linked to an Eastern Cape laptop distribution in March 2026
- Ten of thirty laptops meant for six high schools were allegedly withheld by the former official who led the outreach delegation
- NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula condemned the theft and praised staff who reported the misconduct
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EASTERN CAPE — The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has opened criminal charges against a former board member accused of stealing laptops that were designated for disadvantaged learners across the Eastern Cape.
The matter arose from a community outreach programme conducted in March 2026, during which 30 laptops were allocated to be distributed equally among six high schools for shared academic use. According to NSFAS, the former official who headed the delegation allegedly diverted ten of those devices for personal use rather than delivering them to the intended schools. Staff members within the organisation identified the shortfall and reported it to law enforcement.
NSFAS administrator condemns the theft
NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula described the alleged conduct as deeply troubling, saying he was shocked that a person who held a position of authority would exploit communities that rely on public resources to access education.
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He praised the employees who raised the alarm, noting that their willingness to report misconduct reflected a healthier culture of accountability within the financial aid body.
Parliament calls for formal report
According to an SA government report, the allegations have triggered a strong response from parliamentary oversight structures. Legislative representatives overseeing NSFAS criticised the misappropriation of public resources, particularly given that the agency is currently undergoing administrative restructuring.
They confirmed they would formally request a report covering how the distribution process was managed, what steps are being taken to replace the missing devices, and what safeguards will be introduced to prevent similar incidents from occurring again.
The case raises significant concerns about governance within NSFAS at a time when the organisation has faced sustained scrutiny over its administration of student funding. The Eastern Cape schools affected by the missing laptops have not yet been publicly named.
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More on NSFAS
- Briefly News recently reported on Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela addressing ongoing NSFAS troubles, shortly after the organisation's interim chairperson resigned.
- Amapiano singer MaWhoo caused a stir after claiming NSFAS rejected her funding application over her matric results, though many South Africans disputed her version of events.
- Meanwhile, a viral TikTok video left students questioning whether NSFAS was funding an unexpected new benefit on a university campus at night.
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Source: Briefly News
