NSFAS administrator denies R10m adviser claims, says he has not been paid

NSFAS administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula has rejected allegations that he sought the services of four technical advisers at an estimated cost of about R10 million a year, and said he has not yet received any remuneration since taking up the role.

Denial of adviser costs and pay

Mathebula told a public broadcaster that the advisers are “independent contractors as contemplated in the NSFAS Act” and that he appointed them with the full authority conferred by the Government Gazette that named him administrator. He said their appointments were made with the concurrence of Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela.

"I personally haven’t been remunerated, right? And, for me, that on its own isn’t a big deal because it’s only been two months, and you do need to allow the minister to complete the necessary consultations he has to do."

Response to past approvals criticism

Mathebula also addressed criticism over approvals he signed while at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), saying the approvals followed a SARS policy and that “simply because I’m the one that signed it has nothing to do with any wrongdoing”. He said the organisation, not his signature, should review whether the policy complied with prescripts.

EFF demands parliamentary probe

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi has called for an investigation into Mathebula’s remuneration and that of his advisers. In a letter dated July 7, Lonzi asked the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education to seek confirmation from Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana on whether approvals required under Section 17C of the NSFAS Act had been granted before remuneration and allowances were paid to Mathebula and his four advisers.

Lonzi said the request aims to determine whether public funds were spent in accordance with the law and whether the expenditure represented value for money. The EFF also sought documentation including written approvals, dates of issue and a detailed breakdown of all remuneration, allowances and benefits paid to Mathebula and his advisers since their appointments.

The party raised specific concerns about reported travel and accommodation costs, saying the level of expenditure warranted parliamentary scrutiny to determine compliance with the NSFAS Act and the Public Finance Management Act. The allegations include claims that Mathebula’s accommodation and travel expenses amounted to about R200,000 in just over a month since his May appointment.

NSFAS response and administration context

NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi previously said Mathebula’s administration had been structured to reduce costs, noting that only four advisers were appointed and that their accommodation was funded through their salaries. Mnisi said the administrator’s accommodation expenses were within the range of those incurred by his predecessors, and added that scrutiny must be “grounded in facts, fairness, and objectivity”.

Mathebula was appointed in May 2026 after NSFAS was placed under administration to stabilise the scheme, strengthen governance and address ongoing operational and financial challenges following a series of governance concerns.

What Parliament has been asked to do

In his letter, Lonzi asked Portfolio Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie to request from the Minister of Finance confirmation of whether the approval contemplated in Section 17C had been granted in respect of remuneration and allowances payable to the administrator and other appointed officials, and for National Treasury to clarify compliance if no approval was granted.

The EFF also requested an explanation on whether more cost-effective travel and accommodation options had been considered.

Accountability and ongoing engagement

NSFAS said Mathebula’s appointment was lawful and that he continued to engage universities and TVET colleges as part of efforts to restore stability and improve the operations of the student funding scheme.

"This statement is not intended to shield Professor Mathebula from accountability. As the leader of an institution as important as NSFAS, he must be subjected to public scrutiny and held accountable for his decisions and actions." Ishmael Mnisi, NSFAS spokesperson