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NSFAS claims procurement rules ‘don’t apply’ to R500k adviser deals — Treasury disagrees

Daily Maverick · 🇿🇦 public South Africa · · 937 words · By Siyabonga Goni
Government corruption Regulatory Compliance Public Accountability
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What to know about Government corruption

Following Daily Maverick’s reporting that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) splashed public funds on hotel stays for administrator Hlengani Mathebula, with double-bookings that could result in fruitless expenditure, the scheme is now under…

Claims checked 13
Techniques found 1
Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center86%
Right14%

7 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Following Daily Maverick’s reporting that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) splashed public funds on hotel stays for administrator Hlengani Mathebula, with double-bookings that could result in fruitless expenditure, the scheme is now under…

Why it matters

NSFAS says Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) procurement requirements “do not apply” to its multimillion-rand adviser contracts because the advisers were appointed in terms of a ministerial Government Gazette rather than standard procurement channels.

Common ground

This comes after new invoices leaked to Daily Maverick reveal that two of the four newly appointed advisers to Mathebula – Nonkululeko Manyika and Dudu Hlatshwayo – used their private companies, Nonisa and ChangeEQ, to submit monthly corporate tax invoices to…

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-08-11-nsfas-claims-procurement-rule…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

info Single Source 7
schedule Pending 3
help Insufficient Evidence 3
info
Claim 1: “Section 5.6.3 of the NSFAS SCM policy says any commercial contract for goods or services exceeding R1-million must be openly advertised on the National Treasury e-Tender portal for a minimum of 21 calendar days”
SINGLE SOURCE
Search results confirm NSFAS has an SCM policy and uses the National Treasury e-Tender portal, but the specific text of 'Section 5.6.3' and the 'R1-million/21-day' requirement is not present in the provided evidence.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Enquiries regarding SCM must be directed to: Email: scm@nsfas.org.za Tel: 021 763 3200. Active Tenders.Further note the following: 1. NSFAS will apply its Supply Chain Management Policy and, where the…
https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/scm.html
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — NSFAS statement on the laptop tender The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has concluded the evaluation and awarding process of the tender for the supply and delivery of laptops to NSFAS s…
https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/national-student-fi…
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web search NEUTRAL — The Funding and Tenders Portal is the single entry point (the Single Electronic Data Interchange Area) for applicants, contractors and experts in funding programmes and procurements managed by the Eur…
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/port…
schedule
Claim 2: “a report from News24 that Godongwana had rejected the annual salary package of R5.5-million for Mathebula.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 3: “neither contract [Change EQ and Nonisa] was ever subjected to a public tender.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence consists of general Wikipedia and legal definitions of 'contracts' and 'awarded contracts' from Chicago. There is no evidence regarding whether Change EQ or Nonisa contracts were tendered.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Contracts are generally written and signed, and the legal enforceability of them secures some shelter of reliability. Contracts are widely used in commercial law, and for the most part form the legal …
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract
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web search NEUTRAL — To search for and view scanned copies of awarded contracts (2003 to date), please search the Contract Award & Vendor Database. This listing includes awarded modifications and amendments.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dps/provdrs/contract/s…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Contract is an agreement between parties, creating mutual obligations that are enforceable by law. The basic elements required for the agreement to be a legally enforceable contract are: In some state…
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/contract
info
Claim 4: “two of the four newly appointed advisers to Mathebula – Nonkululeko Manyika and Dudu Hlatshwayo – used their private companies, Nonisa and ChangeEQ, to submit monthly corporate tax invoices to the scheme”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of a general article intro, a UK government eVisa page, and a Handshake login page. None of these confirm that Nonkululeko Manyika or Dudu Hlatshwayo used private companies to invoice NSFAS.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — While tertiary students across South Africa demand an increase in food allowances and an accommodation cap, the upper echelon of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) appears to be operati…
https://www.bee.co.za/post/double-booked-hotels-a-luxury-49-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — How to access and use an eVisa: set up a UKVI account, update your details and get a share code to prove your immigration status when you work, rent or travel.
https://www.gov.uk/evisa/set-up-ukvi-account
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Login by selecting Ozarks and using your student credentials to activate your...
https://app.joinhandshake.com/
info
Claim 5: “Daily Maverick’s reporting that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) splashed public funds on hotel stays for administrator Hlengani Mathebula, with double-bookings that could result in fruitless expenditure”
SINGLE SOURCE
One web search result specifically mentions 'Double-booking hotels and fruitless expenditure' and a specific payment of R9,200 for the Pepperclub Hotel & Spa for Hlengani Mathebula. However, no other independent sources corroborate these specific details.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Double-booking hotels and fruitless expenditure. According to official tax invoices, taxpayers paid R9,200 for Mathebula to stay at the Pepperclub Hotel & Spa for four nights from 25 to 29 May.
https://www.bee.co.za/post/double-booked-hotels-a-luxury-49-…
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web search NEUTRAL — Students must download the NSFAS Declaration form: This form only applies to applicants who are 34 years old or younger. This form is used to verify parental/guardian details.
https://www.nsfas.org.za/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Professor Hlengani Mathebula, NSFAS administrator, has raised eyebrows after appointing former Daybreak Farms chairperson Bojane Segooa as a member of the scheme’s audit and risk committee.
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/general-mathebula
info
Claim 6: “By invoicing R254,973.51 a month through her private firm Change EQ, adviser Hlatshwayo is on track to collect more than R6.1-million over a 24-month tenure”
SINGLE SOURCE
While evidence confirms Dudu Hlatshwayo is the founder of Change EQ, there is no evidence provided regarding the specific monthly invoice amount of R254,973.51 or the projected 24-month total.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — · Experience: Change EQ Corporate Advisors · Education: Mariannhill College · Location: South Africa · 500+ connections on LinkedIn. View Dudu Hlatshwayo’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional communit…
https://za.linkedin.com/in/dudu-hlatshwayo-40101a15
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dudu Hlatshwayo is an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Board of Airports Company South Africa, a position she has held since 6 August 2020. Ms. Hlatshwayo has a solid business management back…
https://www.airports.co.za/Pages/Dudu-Hlatshwayo.aspx
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Dudu Rosemary Hlatshwayo is the founder and Chairman of Change Eq Pty Ltd. which was founded in 2006.It operates through the following business segments: RustMo1, Kouga, GRI, LPS, and Other. The RustM…
https://www.marketscreener.com/insider/DUDU-HLATSHWAYO-A1SGT…
help
Claim 7: “Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela’s statement dated 14 July 2026 said: “the appointment of the administrator and the approval of technical advisers are distinct from the statutory process relating to the determination of remuneration and allowances, which is governed separately by section 17C of the NSFAS Act.””
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
schedule
Claim 8: “the National Treasury confirmed that Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has still not granted statutory written concurrence for the administrator’s or his advisers’ compensation under Section 17 C of the NSFAS Act”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
help
Claim 9: “Nonisa, owned by Manyika, invoiced R204,166.67 for July 2026 for consulting and financial advisory services.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
schedule
Claim 10: “the National Treasury confirmed it holds no record of any such exemption [from the PFMA for ministerial gazette appointments].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info
Claim 11: “Leaked internal banking records dated 31 July 2026 reveal a single FNB payment-run batch totalling R459,140.18, transferred directly from NSFAS’s primary administration account to two corporate entities.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The search results provided for this claim are completely irrelevant, discussing a fictional or future orbital engagement in 2026, a video downloader, and part-time jobs. There is no evidence regarding NSFAS banking records.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — “On 18 Oct. 2026 Space Command executed the first orbital engagement in history. A stealth satellite known as Dark Bird, built for signal jamming by a China-Russia Consortium, was neutralized by a Pre…
https://operationdisclosureofficial.com/2026/08/27/restored-…
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web search NEUTRAL — The SaveFrom.Net video downloader keeps the original quality, so your MP4 downloads match the source resolution. Build your own video collection knowing each download keeps its high-definition quality…
https://en1.savefrom.net/19wr/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Whether you’re a student, fresher, or housewife, these legit websites offer real earning opportunities with flexible work hours and no investment required! Important note:  Important Update (29 July …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Mmk6y5J5lU
help
Claim 12: “NSFAS says Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) procurement requirements “do not apply” to its multimillion-rand adviser contracts because the advisers were appointed in terms of a ministerial Government Gazette”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found after searching for this specific claim.
info
Claim 13: “The Ministry of Higher Education disclosed that Mathebula’s four-member advisory team carries an official price tag of R9.9-million per year, averaging R2.47-million per adviser annually”
SINGLE SOURCE
One source explicitly states that Prof Hlengani Mathebula requested a budget increase to cover four advisors earning R9.9-million annually. Other sources mention Mathebula's salary but not the specific advisory team cost.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — NSFAS administrator Prof Hlengani Mathebula requested a R35-million increase in his office’s budget to cover compensation costs, including four highly paid advisors earning R9.9-million annually in to…
https://sundayworld.co.za/politics/nsfas-costs-skyrocket-und…
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web search NEUTRAL — According to Delmaine Christians, DA spokesperson on higher education and training, the administrator appointed – at an annual salary of some R5 million – was Professor Hlengani Mathebula.
https://dailyfriend.co.za/2026/08/20/the-high-costs-of-free-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — public higher education institutions, at a projected cost of R166.7 billion over the medium term.Honourable Members, The Sector Education and Training Authorities are the cornerstone of the Skills Rev…
https://www.dhet.gov.za/SiteAssets/Media+Advisory+and+Statem…
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.