Question NW173 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
26 February 2018 - NW173
Xalisa, Mr Z R to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(1)(a)What goods or services did a certain company (name furnished) supply to the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) in the (i) 2015-16, (ii) 2016-17 financial years and (iii) since 1 April 2017 and (b) are any of the specified company’s directors related to any of the NIHSS and/or her departments employees; (1) why did the NSFAS loan impairment increase to R29 billion in the specified financial year; (2) (a) why did NSFAS fail to give universities half of the upfront payment due to them at the beginning of the 2017 academic year, (b) how were (i) universities and (ii) students affected and (c) what plans have been put in place to prevent this from reoccurring in 2018; (a) why did NSFAS fail to give around 60% of students their living allowances during the specified timeframe in the 2017 academic year and (b) what plans have been put in place to prevent this from reoccurring in 2018?
Reply:
The National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) has provided the following responses to the questions posed.
1. (a) (i) In the 2015/16 financial year, MSMM did not supply any goods or services to the National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS).
(ii) In the 2016/17 financial year, MSMM supplied certain legal services including vetting of contracts and drafting legal opinions for NIHSS.
(iii) Since 1 April 2017, MSMM has been providing ongoing legal services including vetting of contracts and drafting legal opinions for NIHSS.
(b) To the best of the NIHSS’ knowledge, none of the directors of MSMM are related to any of the NIHSS’ employees. Declaration of interest forms were signed at procurement and no declaration or conflict of interest was indicated by Supply Chain Management officials.
2. (a) The NIHSS will be in a position to provide documentation of contracts, payments and work done by the specified company. Mr Z R Xalisa may request these from the NIHSS.
COMPILER DETAILS
NAME AND SURNAME: MS PEARL WHITTLE
CONTACT: 012 312 5248
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Minister signs Parliamentary Question 173.
MR GF QONDE
DIRECTOR–GENERAL: HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DATE:
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION 173 IS APPROVED / NOT APPROVED / AMENDED.
COMMENT/S
PROF HB MKHIZE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
DATE: