Parliament seeks answers over missing millions at training authority

Over R637 million meant for bursaries and skills training has vanished from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA).

It raises serious questions about financial controls at the state entity.

The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training will summon both the SETA and the Auditor-General next month to find out where money has gone.

Chairperson Tebogo Letsie said the committee was informed of the missing monies by the AG last year.

"This is not a new matter; it's a matter we attempted to get into in 2025."

Letise said the AG's report noted irregular expenditure. The missing funds were intended for bursaries, internships, and work-integrated learning.

"We will be sitting with the ETDP next term to get to the bottom of this thing. Irregular expenditure is an accounting term that says how you spent the money may not have been in the best interests of the SETA, but it does not necessarily mean you do not know where the money went."

Letsie said there is no evidence at this stage that there are no invoices for the missing funds, as previously reported.

The spending happened under the watch of the person now running the institution.

Nokukhanya Mafahla was Chief Financial Officer throughout the audit period and was appointed acting Chief Executive Officer in November 2025.

"Not only her, but it was also the eight CEOs of other SETAs who were appointed permanently... It's not necessarily the acting CEO who may have approved this amount of money; it may very well mean it was the board who approved this thing, and we need to get them to come to Parliament."

To listen to Letsie in conversation with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: