Blade Nzimande Denies Kickback Allegations
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande has strongly refuted allegations of corruption, denying accusations of receiving kickbacks from service providers linked to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Outa, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, recently leaked recordings suggesting a corruption scheme within the department and NSFAS.
Blade Nzimande has denied allegations that he received kickbacks from National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) service providers.
Nzimande, who also serves as the chair of the South African Communist Party (SACP), and NSFAS board chair, Ernest Khosa, have been implicated in the allegations.
Outa claims that the minister and Khosa received millions of rands from service providers who were awarded lucrative tenders to manage direct payments to students.
Nzimande is accused of stealing funds from NSFAS.
Responding to the allegations, Nzimande dismissed them as baseless, stating:
“These are all lies that emanate from a malicious fightback campaign. My conscience is clear, and I have nothing to hide or fear.”
In the face of these accusations, Nzimande expressed his intention to take legal action, emphasizing his commitment to transparency and accountability.
He stated:
“And I’ve also voluntarily decided that I am going to subject myself to the relevant legal processes and ethics bodies of the African National Congress, its integrity committee, and the South African Communist Party, its central ethics commission.”
What’s next for Blade Nzimande
Blade Nzimande’s willingness to undergo criticism from these bodies seemingly indicates the minister’s wants to maintain transparency in the face of public concern.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these claims will be investigated and whether legal action will be pursued.