ETDP Seta faces scrutiny over R630 million unaccounted funds

The Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP Seta) has come under fire after it was revealed that more than R630 million remains unaccounted for.

A recent report by the Auditor-General has revealed that R637.6 million in grant expenditure could not be substantiated due to missing records. According to the report, auditors cannot confirm where the money was spent.

The report found dire systematic failures including unkept records and a breakdown of internal controls.

The Democratic Alliance's Karabo Khakhau said it has written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training calling for its leadership to answer for what the party calls a "shocking failure of governance".

Khakhau said these funds were intended to support critical skills development programmes, including bursaries, internships, and work-integrated learning opportunities for young South Africans.

"Instead, they have effectively vanished without proper oversight or accountability," Khakhau added.

Teacher union, SAOU said the lack of governance and mismanagement of funds cannot be tolerated.

"It is therefore unfathomable that the allegations of R10 million, which was deposited into 'wrong accounts' unpaid SARS penalties and the multimillion-rand lease scandal of the ETDP Seta buildings were uncovered. The ETDP Seta allegedly paid a million for offices in Marshalltown, which were not suitable for use," SAOU's Paul Sauer said.

Earlier this month, Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, requested an urgent report to establish the full facts surrounding the procurement process, lease agreement, and the circumstances that led to the non-occupation of the premises.

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