Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and Unisa students are demanding the scrapping of the current system used for the distribution of funds by appointing intermediaries on behalf of Nsfas, saying it is not user-friendly.
Nsfas introduced “Direct Payment Solution” with Unisa students getting their funding allowances through Coinvest while TUT students get their money through Ezaga.
The Students Representative Councils (SRC) wants these companies gone and the TUT SRC President Keamogetswe complained that 14 000 students haven’t received their funding and despite students rejecting this funding system Nsfas forged ahead and introduced it.
“We have a problem with the speedy implemented process of direct payment. I think we have raised our concerns for the past two months that we have been engaging with the university that it can never be correct that a process of this nature is hastily implemented without proper orientation processes.
“But to our surprise Nsfas has arrogantly pushed the university to implement this process. So as we speak over 14 000 students are at home. They have not received their meal allowances. This is the money that assists them to buy daily essentials, food, toiletries and ect. We are saying it cannot be business as usual when a lot of our students are sitting at home and many are forced to attend classes on an empty stomach,” said Masike.
Masike said Ezaga is charging students high fees for transactions and it is not user-friendly because it takes almost a day or two for money sent to personal bank accounts to be cleared.
The SRC Secretary General, Inga Ketwa said the payment system is costing students a lot of money to transact and this must be halted.
“First and foremost I think we must outline that we have alway advocated for a direct banking system but however Nsfas didn’t include us in their engagement. They decided to appoint service providers which is something we didn’t know and something we have never agreed upon because we said there must be no third parties that are involved.
“The problem with third parties is that they charge students exorbitant amounts. I mean the appointed company which is Coinvest in UNISA charges students R12,50 per transaction which we feel is a bit unfair and it is a bit ridiculous because most of our students come from poor backgrounds.
“So you can just imagine. For you to just activate the card it costs R50. It is really unfair on the students’ side and we are going to make sure that this process doesn’t continue further. We are still saying that the money should be from Nsfas directly to students. There should be no third party in between,” he added.
TUT spokesperson, Phaphama Tshisikhawe said the institution has started engagement with student representatives in a bid to end the impasse.
“The TUT is aware of sporadic student protests at some of our campuses regarding the new Nsfas payment system. As we speak, meetings are currently underway between management and student leaders. So as to find a speedy viable and sustainable solution and also restore normality at our campuses.
“At the midpoint and pivotal juncture in the academic year, the university calls upon all stakeholders to do everything in their power to safeguard the academic project. Our student should look out for official communication from the university on the resumption of academic activities,” said Tshisikhawe.
