SETA CEOs consider court action against Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela

702’s Clement Manyathela speaks with Malusi Shezi, CETA (Construction Education & Training Authority) CEO and Ineeleng Molete, CEO of LGSETA (Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority).

Listen below:

The Department of Higher Education and Training has placed three Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) under administration.

Minister Buti Manamela has appointed Dithabe Nkoane, former acting municipal manager at Emfuleni Municipality, Matjie Masoga, Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone (MMSEZ)’s former chief executive officer, and Zukile Mvalo, DHET’s Deputy Director-General for Skills Development, as administrators.

However, this reportedly happened without the CEOs being formally notified.

“Consultation and communication did not happen. We learned when the decision was vetted.”

- Malusi Shezi, CEO - CETA Board

Political parties, including the DA, EFF, and MK Party, have questioned this decision, claiming that due process was not followed.

They say these administrators have questionable track records, having been implicated in corruption scandals.

The SETA CEOs say they may take the minister to court if they are not given clarity.

Shezi says they are not concerned about the individuals appointed, but do have a problem with the process that was followed.

“Whether they are clean or not clean is not our issue. Our issue is the process that was followed to place us under administration.”

- Malusi Shezi, CEO - CETA

He adds that there was an investigation done, but only in 2019, and the organisation was placed under administration between 2020 to 2022.

RELATED: New higher education minister eyes overhaul of SETA system

Since then, no additional investigation has taken place, which would explain why they are under administration, he continues.

Molete argues that placing the SETAs under administration was unjustified, as the correct process was not followed.

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