They have faced a lot of protests from the protestors who are complaining about the increase in the cost of water, electricity and other things for those who hire students who are paid by the fund that supports studies in higher education institutions and TVET colleges in KwaZulu-Natal, the National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Those stalls complain that since the beginning of the year, they have not been paid by NSFAS. They said that NSFAS is threatening the students like snakes, they are not ignoring them because they are protesting when their benefits are not received.
One of the stands that spoke toSoleze, he asked not to be revealed, he said that they are even thinking of expelling the students, because they have not been paid.
“We don’t know what to do now, because we have sent everything to the institutions and NSFAS, but so far we have not been paid. Everything that affects the students’ information, and the signing of contracts was sent, but there is no money.”
Umastende pointed out that when they have to be paid, the new system used kicks them.
“We are humane because NSFAS only pays us for 10 months a year, but we accept students from January because they have no place to hide. We do this because we don’t want them to suffer, or sleep in the wild, but we are not considered or thanked for doing this.”
He said they want to be paid what is due to them from February until now.
“April is coming to an end now but there is no money. We have hired security guards in our student accommodation. We pay for electricity, water and other workers who clean these areas. We even pay for WiFi so that the students can study. We are thinking of not paying for all these needs to put pressure on us to be paid.”
Another student, who also asked not to be named, said it would have been tense if it had been students who did not receive benefits.
“Everything would have stopped now if it were the students who did not receive their benefits. No one can go so many months without being paid and then fail. They will bring us to the ground because we will end up closing due to non-payment,” said the student who said, they are being chased by borrowers and they are no longer able to get money from banks.
He said that previously Xquel, was the one that was paid by NSFAS, to pay for independent stands in KZN but this power was taken away.
“Now it is necessary for the steward to communicate directly with NSFAS. We cannot communicate with NSFAS because there is no department responsible for money that we cannot contact if we are not paid. We are wandering in the dark when everything NSFAS wants we do as stewards.”
In response to theOf this country issued under the acting chief executive officer of NSFAS Mr Waseem Carrim, said that the members of this fund are the ones who are in charge of the payment system for the applicants.
It said that in order not to delay the payment of applicants, their bank details must be verified so that the payment system does not kick them.
“The ID or business registration number must match the bank account. The last name or company name must match the account holder,” said NSFAS.
INSFAS said that it has discussed with the organizations that represent the farmers, about the challenges related to the kicking of the farmers when they have to be paid by FNB bank, so that the farmers can be enriched by what they have to do.