Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela and senior NSFAS management have come under parliamentary scrutiny following allegations of unapproved payments to four advisers, against the backdrop of NSFAS being placed under administration on 4 May 2026 due to governance instability, according to official government statements and reporting by SAnews and Daily Maverick.

Governance Turmoil and Recovery Efforts

Professor Hlengani Mathebula was appointed as the administrator of NSFAS after Minister Manamela dissolved the board, acting to address ongoing instability and internal strife. The move followed the resignation of Dr. Karen Stander as NSFAS Chairperson in November 2025, who cited threats, intimidation, bullying, and racism in her official resignation letter, according to the Democratic Alliance.

Minister Manamela defended the administration decision during a press briefing on 29 May 2026, stating it was critical to stabilise the institution before rolling out comprehensive student funding reforms. The Special Investigating Unit has since recovered R1.7 billion for NSFAS, an outcome the minister described as “a significant step in restoring integrity, accountability and public confidence in the administration of student financial aid.”

Parliamentary and Political Response

While the unapproved payments to advisers remain under investigation, the Democratic Alliance and Portfolio Committee on Higher Education have both demanded full accountability. Tebogo Letsie, committee chairperson, told Parliament, “Our interest is a stable NSFAS that works to benefit poor South African students who without NSFAS support will not come close to accessing post school education opportunities.”

Minister Manamela reassured stakeholders at a media briefing that the administration move would not disrupt core operations. “Student funding will continue, allowances will continue, appeals processes will continue, and universities and TVET colleges will continue engaging NSFAS operationally,” he said.

Further updates on the outcome of investigations into adviser payments are expected from Parliament in the coming weeks.