NSFAS condemns students’ extortion claims at eThekwini

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) said it is dismayed by reports that some landlords in Durban are demanding sex from students, due to the late payments of accommodation fees for the 2025 academic year. The scheme was responding to an article in a Sunday newspaper about such reported incidents at the eThekwini TVET College in Durban. “The NSFAS strongly condemns the exploitation of vulnerable students and any acts of gender-based violence against students. NSFAS, in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and the eThekwini TVET College will immediately launch an investigation into the reported incidents and will communicate the findings upon conclusion. Furthermore, NSFAS will assist violated students to file charges against perpetrators who were found wanting. Should the investigations on the allegations against the landlords prove to be veracious, NSFAS will take decisive action, which may include blacklisting and terminating the services of the implicated landlords, to ensure student safety,” warned NSFAS spokesperson, Ismael Mnisi. Last month, some landlords held a picket outside the eThekwini TVET College, over outstanding payments.The landlords alleged that some of the outstanding payments are for the 2024 academic year. Mnisi said the scheme has already communicated with all public institutions regarding the issue of outstanding payments on measures undertaken to ensure that NSFAS funded students are registered. “In respect of students affected by the Close – Out project, where outstanding fees are payable by NSFAS, students should be allowed re-enrolment and details of the affected students are to be shared with the NSFAS Servicing teams deployed to all public universities and colleges. In respect of the NSFAS Loan Scheme, NSFAS has already distributed the names of qualifying applicants with respective institutions. While institutions are finalising submission of the required documentations for the NSFAS Loan Scheme, NSFAS has advised institutions to afford this cohort of students to register, including securing accommodation, within reasonable timelines aligned to the institution’s 2025 academic calendar,” explained Mnisi. In respect of the 2024 outstanding allocations for NSFAS funded students, NSFAS has requested institutions to allow registration and graduation for affected students. The scheme has also undertaken to settle outstanding tuition and related fees.