By Charmaine Ndlela

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training has criticised the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) over governance failures, irregular expenditure, and the approval of a R3 million salary package for its administrator without authorisation from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) or the minister.

The committee received a briefing from CETA on protected disclosure allegations relating to irregularities at the entity, including the extension of a Vodacom internet and intranet services contract beyond its expiry date.

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The allegations were initially raised by suspended Chief Financial Officer Saneler Radebe in a disclosure to the National Treasury. According to Radebe, CETA’s 2021 contract with Vodacom for internet and intranet services was flagged by the Auditor-General and later subjected to investigation. 

He alleged that the contract was extended beyond its April 2024 expiry date based on unverified claims that Vodacom owed CETA service credits, despite repeated requests from finance officials for supporting documentation.

Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie criticised CETA administrator Oupa Nkoane for unilaterally approving his own salary package of R3 million without obtaining approval from either the department or the minister.

Members of the committee questioned the lack of clear regulations governing salaries paid to administrators and advisors appointed to stabilise struggling entities. They also requested that DHET explain the rationale behind the more annual remuneration package awarded to Nkoane.

The committee noted that while CETA was under administration, the entity approved a proposal granting the administrator a provisional annual salary of R3 million with effect from 1 October 2025. In January 2026, the minister later approved a reduced remuneration package of R2.5 million.

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Parliament heard that between October 2025 and March 2026, the administrator was overpaid by R208 333. A repayment plan has since been implemented to recover the funds over the remainder of his term.

Committee members said the payments made before ministerial approval constituted irregular expenditure. However, they also blamed the DHET for contributing to the situation through delays in responding to correspondence regarding the salary adjustment.

According to the department, the administrator’s remuneration was benchmarked against both the salary earned by the incumbent in his previous employment and the remuneration levels of SETA chief executive officers. DHET further indicated that guidance on the matter had been sought from the National Treasury.

The committee further questioned CETA’s management of ICT contracts, particularly the continuation of the Vodacom agreement after its expiry date. 

Members also expressed concern over delays in implementing recommendations contained in the R18.9 million Duja forensic report, saying the failure to act had allowed implicated officials to remain in, or be reappointed to, positions within DHET entities.

The committee also learned that one of the administrator’s advisors, Lethabo Mamabolo, travelled to Cape Town on 21 November 2025 to participate in a cycling event using CETA resources.

Letsie said the department continued to spend significant amounts on forensic investigations without ensuring that findings led to accountability.

“Your core business is to skill and upskill the workforce of South Africa. In the context of the latest unemployment statistics, SETAs were created to help drive economic growth; this is not happening,” he said.

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