Overview
- The portfolio committee canceled Tuesday's hearing after Minister Buti Manamela said the NSFAS takeover is before court and he had not finalized a presentation.
- In a statement dated Tuesday, Manamela said he remains committed to appear and argued the administration move aims to protect student funding and restore governance stability.
- Seven remaining board members have filed an urgent Pretoria High Court case, number 2026/107602, to set aside the administration and suspend the administrator’s powers while the dispute is heard.
- Affidavits by former board members claim the minister held a meeting with selected members with no agenda, had phones taken, and told them to pause a CEO appointment they had advanced, which they call unlawful interference.
- The committee had summoned the administrator and former board members on 7 May to explain the use of Sections 17A and 17D of the NSFAS Act, as opposition parties from the EFF, DA and MKP now accuse ANC leaders of shielding the minister.