"The office of the SAHRC received a complaint from Stellenbosch University's SU Student Representative Council SRC on Friday after some students in other provinces also sent requests for intervention. In the past we have been aware of NSFAS challenges, but this time around this relates to late payments of allowances through the new system, and this has resulted in students not being able to buy food, pay rent and other important things. "Also they had issues with alleged exorbitant bank charges. "The commission is assessing all the complaints, including how many we have received. Then a decision will be made on how we intervene, try to resolve this through meditation processes or investigation," said Gaum. In a letter seen by the Cape Times, outgoing SU SRC vicechairperson William Sezoe said thousands of students had been struggling for months, which was a human rights violation. "Many students are currently going to bed hungry, and this must be viewed as a huge human rights violation perpetrated by NSFAS against the poor and most vulnerable that NSFAS ought to serve. The fact that students are now no longer able to focus their attention on their studies is worrying. "It must be noted as a human dignity issue, and hence a violation of that." Last week Parliament was briefed by NSFAS about the direct payment system, and MPs expressed outrage over the problems, including accommodation accreditation. Higher Education and Training directorgeneral Nkosinathi Sishi said about 115 complaints had been received against service providers Norraco Corporation, Coinvest Africa, Tenet Technology and eZaga Holdings. About 44 were finalised and 71 allegations were still being probed. The scheme's board chairperson, Ernest Khosa, acknowledged there had been "teething" problems, but said they were being resolved. NSFAS is expected to return to Parliament soon to give an update on its plans to turn around the organisation.

Source: Cape Times