Nsfas placed under administration again amid bitter boardroom battle

He cited deep institutional instability that threatened the scheme’s ability to deliver on its mandate. The board had backed acting CEO Waseem Carrim for the top job and rubbished Manamela’s utterances, saying it was dysfunctional. Manamela had been accused of trying to influence the outcome of the CEO recruitment process, convening a closed meeting with selected board members ahead of key deliberations and urging a halt in the process pending political consultations.

The claims have been taken up by EFF MP SihleLonzi, who has formally demanded answersfrom the minister. She asked Manamela if he considered it consistent with principles of good governance and fiduciary duty for board members to be engaged selectively on matters of significance. “Did you instruct or advise those members the board should delay the CEO appointment process?

“If so, was this instruction given verbally or in writing, and what legal authority do you rely on?” she asked the minister. Lozi had requested a comprehensive response, warning “should you not, we reserve the right to refer it to the portfolio committee on higher education”. The tussle on the appointment of a permanent CEO triggered a wave of board resignations, including interim chair Mugwena Maluleke’s – reducing the board to seven members. Despite the resignations, the remaining members had insisted they were quorate and capable of making binding decisions.