EFF Student Command Supports Students In Recent Protests


Please share this article

Advertisement


After student protests broke out at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and the University of the Western Cape, the EFF Student Command has expressed its support for the causes that the students have been protesting for. 

 


Advertisement i


Recently student protest action has been taking place at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and University of the Western Cape (UWC).

This action has been triggered by many different issues including the recent announcement by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to use third party service providers to pay student allowances instead of paying allowances directly to the students' bank accounts. 

According to statements of NSFAS, Tenetch Technologies would be used as the service provider to distribute student allowances to seven different universities, including CPUT and UWC. 

While eZaga and Noracco will be distributing student allowances to another 12 universities. 

The Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command (EFFSC) has called these service providers the "dodgy middle-man" as they say NSFAS has previously attempted to tender the distribution of allowances to service providers who did not have banking licenses. It was also revealed that these businesses did not have VAT registrations. 

EFFSC has also stated that NSFAS had also advertised two bids and later cancelled them and then open a third bid for companies which were recently registered or have had no business for years until the NSFAS bids. 

They say that eZaga and Tenetch Technologies form part of the "dodgy" service providers. 

eZaga was registered in 2017 and Tenetch was registered in 2013 but have both remained inactive until 2021. Companies which have been recently registered include Noracco and Coinvest which were both registered in 2019. 

EFFSC says that these companies emerge out of nowhere and have no meaningful experience in the financial services sector nor higher education but they are being trusted with the administration and the management of billions of Rands by NSFAS and they have been enabled by the Department of Higher Education and Training. 

The student organization has expressed concern for those on the receiving end of the tenders especially students who may suffer due to high and "illogical" transaction fees. 

They say that it has become a norm at many institutions for NSFAS, through these "dodgy" middle-man service providers, to pay allowances to students who are not registered at institutions in an attempt to funnel money and loot public resources which should be used to alleviate the funding crisis in the country. 

Students have also protested due to the R45 000 cap on student accommodation. EFFSC says that it is cruel and nonsensical to expect poor students to pay the shortfall of their accommodation costs as in many cases this goes up to R20 000. 

They are calling on NSFAS to get rid of the cap on the allowance or to impose a price-ceiling on the cost of student accommodation. 

Many institutions are also withholding student's certificates and degrees if they owe the institution any fees.

This is being done even though the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande has ordered these institutions to stop withholding degrees and certificates from students who completed their studies but are unable to pay off their student debt. 

The EFFSC has called it illogical to withhold student's degrees and block any opportunities for them to get a job and repay the debt. 

They criticized Minister Nzimande for issuing a statement calling on "universities management to tighten up security in all the campuses," in response to the concerns raised by students during protests. 

The EFFSC are calling for a new minister to be elected as they feel that Nzimande has failed to constructively deal with issues raised by students. 

They have stated that they are standing with all students who have protested to voice their legitimate frustrations and that they will be engaging with all their SRC deployees at universities across the country to work out a response to what they call "continued arrogance and disregard for students". 

Suggested Article:

CPUT suspending academic activities

Violent protests at a Western Cape university led to indefinite academic suspension, as students protested the de-funding of certain allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The university evacuated students due to continued disruptions and attacks on infrastructure.






Online Shopping Links

Loot - Takealot - Temu - Amazon - Shein





Advertisement


WhatsApp Channel

Sponsored Ad

Advertisement

Advertisement

Google News

Post-Matric Options

 

We helped you with past papers for your matric exams, so hopefully you are happy with your Matric results. So now you are faced with a lot of post-matric options that can shape your future paths. You might want to study law, teaching, or nursing. Of course studying is expensive so we have helpful advice about student loans, NSFAS bursaries, Fundi loans, ISFAP, and lots of other funding options.

These options range from pursuing higher education at universities , TVET Colleges or  private colleges, finding student accommodation, entering vocational training programs (like Learnerships and internships), joining the workforce, or even starting your own business. There are so many choices but we are here to help.

Advertisement


Latest SASSA articles

The R370 grant is aimed at assisting unemployed adults living in South Africa. Here's the R370 grant eligibility criteria.. 

Knowing when you social grant will be paid is extremely helpful as it allows for planning. Here's a guide on how to find you Sassa grant payment dates. 

Where to Study


Advertisement m


Other Articles

South Africa’s youth unemployment rate stands at an alarming 44.6% for individuals aged 15-34. This sobering statistic reflects challenges such as limited work experience, educational gaps and economic hurdles. Transitioning from education to employment often feels like an uphill battle for many young people, leaving them stuck without work, or the opportunity to receive further training.
 


Advertisement


Latest SASSA articles

The R370 grant is aimed at assisting unemployed adults living in South Africa. Here's the R370 grant eligibility criteria.. 

Knowing when you social grant will be paid is extremely helpful as it allows for planning. Here's a guide on how to find you Sassa grant payment dates. 


Advertisement


Careers Advice

Hey there, tech enthusiasts and future IT stars! Remember, your CV is your golden ticket to landing the role of your dreams in the ever-evolving IT industry.


Advertisement i