The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has issued a general warning about falsified documents and misuse of allowances.
We’re used to seeing NSFAS issue these kinds of statements, but they’re usually pointed at criminals trying to steal money from funded students. This, however, seems like something more direct where those bad actors are trying to take advantage of the scheme itself.
“NSFAS has been informed of students who forge and submit false information when applying / appeal for NSFAS funding. Please note that we will not allow any abuse of the law and condemn such behavior. We want to maintain a zero tolerance to fraud and corruption within the scheme and as such students who are found guilty of submitting false information will be held responsible and may be incriminated,” the warning reads.
It’s interesting that this warning is released after the recent prison sentence was handed down to Sibongile Mani, the “NSFAS Millionaire” who has been given a five year sentence. This is being appealed and we’re sure it’s not the last we will hear of it.
Recently NSFAS had its say in this matter and called several reports of the situation misleading. The scheme wrote a breakdown of its non-involvement in the entire case which you can read here.
The warning goes on to ask that the public be on the lookout for fraudulent activities such as using fake documents to apply for funding, falsifying financial information, misusing allowances and altering application forms.
It is also asking for reports of any of this behaviour to be submitted to the Vuvuzela Hotline. This platform is made as a channel to report criminal behaviour, especially fraud and corruption. NSFAS provides the following channels for using it:
- “Phone: 0860247653
- Email: nsfas[at]thehotline[dot]co[dot]za
- SMS: call back number to 30916
- The Vuvuzela Hotline app or Vuvuzela Hotline website.”
[Image – Gerd Altmann on Pixabay]
