Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has intensified on 13 November criticism of NSFAS, calling it dysfunctional and suggesting he would shut it down if he could. He argues that universities should receive student funding directly, bypassing an agency he says is plagued by mismanagement and delays.

ActionSA has backed the proposal, saying NSFAS failures harm poor students through late payments and academic disruptions. The party wants a new model that channels money straight to institutions as the debate widens inside the Government of National Unity.