SASCO in Tshwane give minister deadline to respond to demands

SASCO in Tshwane has given Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane seven days to respond to their memorandum of demands or face intensified protest action.

Students marched to the Minister’s office in Pretoria over NSFAS related issues, including the defunding of students and delayed meal and accommodation allowances.

They also demand that NSFAS settle outstanding payments with accommodation providers after the scheme mistakenly disbursed R13 000 allowances to TVET college students meant for accommodation.

Providers are now threatening to evict students following NSFAS’s refusal to pay the amount.

SASCO Gauteng coordinator Vhukhudo Nekhavhambe says the Minister’s silence on the matter is concerning.

“We are here to demand that the minister take urgent action because the minister has been missing in action for the longest time in dealing with all these people. That’s why today we came to an office in her backyard to show her that the students are suffering. It’s not only on social media, but we are here. These are people who are hungry, and the issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible. The problem does not affect only Tshwane institutions, it’s nationwide,”