The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has welcomed the arrest of a former Student Representative Council (SRC) member from Rustenburg TVET College, who was apprehended by the Hawks’ Serious Economic Offences Section at their Pretoria headquarters. The individual is accused of defrauding first-year students of R14 000 in NSFAS allowances.

According to the funding scheme, the matter dates back to June 14, 2023, when the NSFAS Forensics Unit received a complaint from a student at Orbit TVET College in Rustenburg. The student reported fraudulent transactions on the bank account used to receive NSFAS allowances.

A preliminary investigation confirmed that unauthorised transfers had been made into the bank account of the implicated SRC member. Further forensic inquiry revealed that several other students at the college had also been affected.

Members of the NSFAS Forensics Unit subsequently conducted an onsite investigation at Orbit TVET College. Working with the Serious Economic Offences Unit of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in Pretoria, multiple criminal cases were registered for further investigation and potential prosecution.

The funding scheme has commended the swift and coordinated response by law enforcement authorities, as well as the cooperation provided by Orbit TVET College management during the investigation. The organisation also acknowledged the support shown to affected students.

“NSFAS reaffirms its commitment to upholding the integrity of the student funding system. We take any instance of fraud or misconduct extremely seriously and will continue to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the scheme said.

The organisation further urged students to remain vigilant and take precautions to protect themselves from fraud or exploitation.

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