Minister Manamela Defends Oversight Postponement, Cites Ongoing NSFAS Litigation
BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA
PRETORIA — Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has broken his silence regarding the controversial postponement of the parliamentary oversight meeting scheduled for May 19, clarifying that he was legally and logistically prepared to account to lawmakers.
The Minister's statement follows a sharp political backlash from opposition parties, including the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who labeled the meeting’s cancellation "unprocedural" and an attempt to evade executive accountability.
According to Minister Manamela, the postponement was not a snub to Parliament but a necessary response to ongoing legal battles. The department is currently locked in urgent litigation instituted by former board members of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) who are challenging the Ministry’s decision to dissolve the board and place the student funding body under administration.
"The Minister had confirmed his availability and readiness to appear before the Committee in fulfilment of his constitutional responsibility to account to Parliament," the Ministry said in a statement. "The postponement occurred in the context of urgent litigation proceedings instituted by former NSFAS Board members relating to the decision to place NSFAS under administration."
Manamela strongly defended his sweeping interventions at NSFAS, maintaining that his decisions were legally sound and necessary to rescue the critical public institution from collapsing under financial mismanagement.
The Minister reiterated that his executive actions have been strictly guided by the need to protect student funding continuity, restore governance stability, strengthen internal accountability, and safeguard the scheme for poor and working-class students.
Amid threats from opposition benches to drag the matter before the Speaker of the National Assembly, Manamela sought to de-escalate tensions by reaffirming his commitment to the legislature. He confirmed that his office will constructively engage the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training to secure a suitable future date for the briefing.
"Government remains focused on ensuring operational stability at NSFAS while respecting the ongoing legal process and the constitutional role of Parliament," the statement concluded.
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