Uncategorized
By Charmaine Ndlela
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has warned the public against “false and misleading” information circulating on social media claiming that a student received a payment of R630,434.44 from the scheme.
NSFAS said preliminary verification indicates that the image being shared online about the payment was manipulated, possibly AI-generated, and did not correspond with any legitimate NSFAS transaction.
ALSO READ: Mbeki highlights the impact of poverty on children at the Nelson Mandela Foundation
The claim stems from a viral social media post alleging that a South African student was accidentally paid R630,434.44 instead of an expected R6,000 allowance.
Screenshots circulating online show a bank balance displaying the amount as “Today – Salary,” alongside a mirror selfie reportedly taken by the student in a public bathroom.
The viral post further claimed that the student returned the full amount immediately. The story drew widespread public attention, attracting thousands of views and shares, with some social media users comparing it to the 2017 Sibongile Mani case, in which a Walter Sisulu University student was mistakenly credited with R14 million, spent some of the money, and later faced theft charges.
The scheme said it does not make large lump-sum payments directly to students. Instead, funding allocations are paid to universities, which then administer student allowances in line with approved funding guidelines. NSFAS said these processes are governed by strict financial controls and oversight mechanisms.
ALSO READ: Limpopo suspends schooling in flood-affected districts
“No such payment has been made by NSFAS. The student in question created this content for social media purposes, likely to gain traction as part of content creation opportunities on platforms,” the scheme said in a statement.
NSFAS reassured students, institutions and the public that its systems remain secure and that no irregular payment or breach had occurred in relation to the claim.
The scheme also stressed that the creation and distribution of false or misleading information that misrepresents its operations is taken seriously. NSFAS said it reserves the right to pursue legal action against individuals who deliberately spread misinformation that could harm its reputation and integrity.
Members of the public have been urged to rely only on official NSFAS communication platforms for accurate and verified information.
