Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has committed his department to implementing recommendations arising from Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigations into wrongdoing across South Africa’s post-school education and training (PSET) sector.
Manamela made the commitment during a recent meeting with newly appointed SIU Head Leonard Lekgetho and his team. The meeting provided the Minister with an update on investigations into allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption and other forms of wrongdoing within the PSET sector.
SIU Investigations Across Higher Education
The investigations stem from Presidential Proclamations issued under the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996.
Several major institutions and entities have been investigated, including the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), National Skills Fund (NSF), University of Fort Hare, Vaal University of Technology and the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority.
The SIU has also completed investigations involving several Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
The investigations have examined allegations involving irregular procurement and expenditure, fraud, maladministration, conflicts of interest, misuse of skills-development funding and issues affecting the integrity and awarding of qualifications.
Some of the matters under investigation date back more than a decade, highlighting the longstanding nature of some of the governance problems being addressed.
More Than R2 Billion Recovered From NSFAS Investigations
During the briefing, the SIU provided an update on completed and ongoing investigations, including public funds recovered or secured for recovery, losses prevented, civil proceedings instituted and matters referred for criminal, disciplinary or regulatory action.
Among the outcomes highlighted by the SIU were more than R2 billion in actual NSFAS-related recoveries from universities and TVET colleges.
The University of Fort Hare investigation resulted in acknowledgements of debt worth approximately R5.4 million.
An acknowledgement of debt for approximately R2.7 million, plus interest and costs, also arose from the Rubicon Communications matter involving the National Skills Fund. Repayments are currently under way.
The SIU also estimated that approximately R109 million in future expenditure was prevented following the cancellation of a security contract at the Vaal University of Technology.
Minister Warns Against Misuse Of Public Funds
Manamela said the SIU’s work is important in restoring integrity across the PSET sector and protecting public resources.
“Where public resources have been misused, there must be consequences. Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be held accountable. Where money can be recovered, it must be recovered and redirected to its intended purpose,” he said.
The Minister said financial recoveries should not simply be viewed as figures, highlighting the impact that the loss or misuse of public money can have on students.
“Every rand lost or misused is an opportunity denied to a student”.
Manamela also stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of qualifications and ensuring that skills-development programmes funded through public resources are properly delivered.
SIU Recommendations To Lead To Institutional Reform
The Minister said investigations should achieve more than holding individuals accountable for past wrongdoing. They should also result in improvements to the systems and controls that govern higher education and training institutions.
He committed the Department of Higher Education and Training to acting on SIU recommendations that require changes to policies, systems, governance arrangements and institutional controls.
“We must not only investigate what went wrong; we must fix the systems that allowed it to happen. If an investigation identifies weaknesses in our policies, procurement systems, governance arrangements, financial controls or oversight mechanisms, we must be prepared to correct them. Accountability must result in institutional reform,” Manamela said.
The department will strengthen its monitoring of SIU matters across the PSET portfolio. This will include tracking the implementation of systemic recommendations and progress on civil, criminal, disciplinary and regulatory referrals.
Accounting authorities, institutional councils and management structures at affected institutions will be expected to account for the actions taken in response to SIU findings and recommendations.
SIU To Continue Investigating PSET Sector
Manamela also emphasised that the SIU must have access to the information and cooperation required to conduct its investigations independently and without interference.
At the same time, he cautioned that preliminary findings should not be treated as final determinations and stressed that the rights of affected parties must be respected.
The engagement forms part of the department’s broader efforts to strengthen governance, consequence management and accountability throughout South Africa’s post-school education and training system.
The department will continue working with the SIU, law enforcement agencies and other competent authorities to address corruption, fraud and maladministration.
“Our ultimate objective is to build a PSET system in which public resources are protected, institutions are properly governed, qualifications retain their integrity and students can have confidence that the system is working in their interests,” Manamela said.
