EXCLUSIVE: High Court Betrays Student Allowance Scheme, Reinstates Corrupt eZaga Holdings
In a shocking turn of events, the Western Cape High Court has reinstated eZaga Holdings as a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) direct payment provider, despite overwhelming evidence of corruption and irregularities in the tender process.
The ruling, which has left many questioning the integrity of the court, has given eZaga a lifeline, allowing it to continue dispensing student allowances to universities and TVET institutions. But at what cost?
The court’s decision comes despite the Werksmans investigation, which exposed the tender process as irregular and recommended that the contract with eZaga and other fintech partners be terminated. Instead, the court has chosen to ignore the evidence and side with the corrupt firm.
eZaga’s CEO, Saud Ally, has welcomed the ruling, claiming it is a "landmark win" and a testament to the company’s commitment to integrity and excellence. But many are left wondering how a company with such a tainted reputation can continue to operate with impunity.
The ruling has also sparked outrage among students and education stakeholders, who are demanding answers from the court and NSFAS. "This is a betrayal of the highest order," said one student. "We trusted NSFAS to look out for our interests, but it seems they have failed us miserably."
The situation is further complicated by NSFAS’s announcement that it will appeal the court’s decision and continue to pursue its case against eZaga and other fintech partners. But with the court’s ruling, it’s unclear what impact this will have.
One thing is certain, however: the integrity of the student allowance scheme has been compromised, and students are left to suffer the consequences.
