Court Orders Manamela to Reinstate NSFAS Board, Suspending Mathebula
The ruling returns governance to seven board members as the court fast-tracks a review of the minister’s decision to place NSFAS under administration.
- On Friday, the Pretoria High Court suspended Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela's appointment of Professor Hlengani Mathebula as administrator of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme , reinstating the board.
- The Department of Higher Education and Training argued the intervention protected a crucial national asset funding more than 800,000 students, while the board contended Manamela lacked statutory grounds to dissolve it.
- During his three-month tenure, Mathebula faced scrutiny over expensive hotel bookings and adviser appointments, while the board alleged Manamela sought to block the appointment of Waseem Carrim as permanent CEO.
- The NSFAS board will resume governance duties immediately, though the Ministry of Higher Education stated Manamela is 'giving the judgment urgent consideration' and seeking legal advice on available remedies.
- Review proceedings for Part B are set for an expedited hearing before the end of November 2026 to determine the final status of Mathebula's appointment and the board's governance authority.
11 Articles
11 Articles
High Court suspends NSFAS administrator's appointment, reinstating board members
Following a Pretoria High Court ruling, the NSFAS board is reinstated as the administrator's appointment is suspended, paving the way for improved financial assistance to students across South Africa.
Court orders Manamela to reinstate NSFAS board, suspending Mathebula
NSFAS administrator Prof Hlengani Mathebula’s appointment has been suspended by the Pretoria High Court, which ordered the reinstatement of the board after the court cited “bizarre” conduct from Mathebula’s past at SARS and procedural flaws in Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela’s intervention.
High court suspends NSFAS administrator’s appointment
The high court in Pretoria has suspended the appointment of National Student Financial Aid Scheme administrator Prof Hlengani Mathebula, ordering the scheme’s seven remaining board members to return to managing the R54bn scheme
High Court Reinstates NSFAS Board, Suspends Administrator Professor Mathebula
Johannesburg – Despite having a massive annual budget of over R50 billion, things have gone pear-shaped at the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which supports more than 1.2 million students at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges. This after the High Court ruling in the matter of Ramashia and Others v Minister of Higher Education and Training and Others. The court on Friday, 14 August 2026, rule…
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