Nzimande denies trying to hide explosive report

A media report claimed Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande tried hiding the disappearance of milions of rands in his department

Oct 10, 2022 - 03:37
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Nzimande denies trying to hide explosive report

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande is hitting back, in the wake of a news report by Sunday Independent which claims that millions of rands are “disappearing” unaccounted for in his department – and that he is fighting tooth and nail to keep a report highlighting this confidential.

According to the publication, an investigation by Nexus Forensic Services revealed how 10 projects milked the National Skills Fund’s (NSF) coffers on unverified skills development expenditure. These projects were funded with the hope that thousands of young people  around the country would be trained and empowered, but the probe found no proof that this happened – and that at least some of the millions were transferred into unknown bank accounts shortly after NSF deposited the funds.

NZIMANDE LASHES OUT AT INDEPENDENT MEDIA

In a statement on Sunday evening, 9 October 2022, Blade Nzimande accused Independent Media of joining the bandwagon of critics and doomsayers who are determined to tarnish his name and to defocus his attention from the task of bringing those who defrauded the National Skills Fund (NSF).

“Clearly the Independent Media Group has begun its usual role of wanting to tarnish what it regards as its enemies and nemesis as we move closer towards the December Conference of the ANC. I am not fazed by these tired and predictable tactics of the group, and I will focus on the task at hand, without fear of favour,” said Nzimande.

Nzimande adds that he has nothing to hide and that his department has already opened a case at the Pretoria Central Police Station.

“I never wanted to keep this report under wraps but all that I requested was for the Standing Committee on Public Account (SCOPA) to treat this report in terms of rule 189 of the National Assembly, especially sub-rule (1) (c) read with sub rule (4) (a) until all processes before the law enforcement agencies and internal departmental disciplinary processes are concluded”

Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande, NSFAS, South African Social Security Agency, SASSA, corruption, illegal funding, students, investigations into funding
Minister Blade Nzimande says they will be investigating how some students were able to get NSFAS funding without qualifying. Photo: GCIS / Flickr