Johannesburg – The fired National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) CEO Andile Nongogo has failed in his bid to persuade the Labour Court to declare his dismissal unlawful.
The court decision was delivered by Judge MB Mahalelo of the Labour Court, on Monday, (8 January 2024).
Commenting on the matter on Tuesday, the Board of NSFAS said it “welcomes the Labour Court’s decision to declare the termination of the contract of employment of the former NSFAS CEO Mr. Andile Nongogo as lawful and valid”.
The NSFAS Board said it “further welcomes” the court’s dismissal, with costs, of the application by Nongogo to strike out certain paragraphs in the Werksman Attorney’s report, which implicates him in the irregular appointment of direct payment service providers.
The Board added: “The decision by the court vindicates the NSFAS Board in terminating Mr. Nongogo’s contract of employment following his irregular involvement in the appointment of the direct payment service providers”.
The NSFAS Board said it views the Werksmans Attorneys report as a necessary and important measure to propel the bursary scheme to a much more elevated level of consciousness to fight corruption by some unscrupulous people masquerading as business people.
“Furthermore, this report also serves as a measure for NSFAS to further strengthen its own internal supply chain management systems and controls,” the Board said.
“Following this groundbreaking judgment, NSFAS will vigorously continue with its legal process towards the termination of contracts of direct payment service providers.”
The Board said the termination of the direct payment service providers will be handled with due care so as not to disrupt the disbursement of the allowances to students in the 2024 academic year.
“NSFAS will now focus all its efforts towards its immediate task of preparation for the seamless beginning of the 2024 academic year,” the Board said.
