The chairperson of the portfolio committee on Higher Education and Training, Connie September, has called on all entities involved in the payment of R14-million to Walter Sisulu University (WSU) student, Sibongile Mani, to take full responsibility.
Intellimali, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), WSU and the Department of Higher Education and Training, briefed the committee on how the money was mistakenly paid to Mani.
“We need to know if this money derives from money that is appropriated by parliament and not raised privately. If this is the understanding, then we need to know what the Public Finance Management Act says about public finances.”
September said the institutions must review the entire payment system and ensure they stick to the highest ethical standards and accountability required when handling public finances.
She said the committee heard that the institutions followed procedure and the error is currently under forensic investigations by an audit firm and the police. She said the committee expressed concerns about systems at Intellimali and that Mani should not be the only person held to account.
“The entities are all talking about the fact that there are loopholes in the system. You need to meet with the business community and inform them that they cannot be accessories to fraudulent activities.”
It is still not clear how merchants allow an Intelli card, that does not have cash, to be used for purchases amounting to over R800 000.’’
September said the committee was concerned about what appeared to be a gross abuse of the system.
Call to review students payment system
Intellimali, National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), WSU and the Department of Higher Education and Training, briefed the committee on how the money was mistakenly paid to Mani.
“We need to know if this money derives from money that is appropriated by parliament and not raised privately. If this is the understanding, then we need to know what the Public Finance Management Act says about public finances.”
September said the institutions must review the entire payment system and ensure they stick to the highest ethical standards and accountability required when handling public finances.
She said the committee heard that the institutions followed procedure and the error is currently under forensic investigations by an audit firm and the police. She said the committee expressed concerns about systems at Intellimali and that Mani should not be the only person held to account.
“The entities are all talking about the fact that there are loopholes in the system. You need to meet with the business community and inform them that they cannot be accessories to fraudulent activities.”
It is still not clear how merchants allow an Intelli card, that does not have cash, to be used for purchases amounting to over R800 000.’’
September said the committee was concerned about what appeared to be a gross abuse of the system.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos