Over R637 million meant for bursaries and skills training has disappeared from the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA). Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training, along with affected learners and the SETA itself, now face questions over financial controls. The committee plans to summon the SETA and the Auditor-General next month for answers, as Chairperson Tebogo Letsie confirmed. This article covers confirmed facts, relevant context, implications, and near-term developments.
The Auditor-General’s report flagged the missing R637 million. This money was set aside for bursaries, internships, and work-integrated learning.
Chairperson Tebogo Letsie said the committee learned of the issue last year from the Auditor-General.
Letsie noted irregular expenditure in the report.
Irregular expenditure is an accounting term. It means the spending may not have served the SETA’s best interests. But it does not always mean the funds are unaccounted for.
“This is not a new matter; it’s a matter we attempted to get into in 2025,” Letsie said.
There is no evidence yet of missing invoices, according to Letsie.
The case raises concerns about financial controls at the state entity.
The spending took place during an audit period overseen by Nokukhanya Mafahla. She served as Chief Financial Officer then. Mafahla became acting Chief Executive Officer in November 2025.
Letsie pointed out that approval may not rest with the acting CEO alone. The board or eight other SETA CEOs, some appointed permanently, could have signed off. This separates verified details from any assumptions.
The Portfolio Committee will summon the ETDP SETA and Auditor-General next term. That meeting comes next month.
Letsie said the group aims to get to the bottom of this thing.
“We will be sitting with the ETDP next term to get to the bottom of this thing,” Letsie stated.
Conclusion
Over R637 million is missing from the ETDP SETA, meant for bursaries and skills training. Parliament’s committee learned of irregular spending from the Auditor-General last year. An investigation summons is set for next month amid financial control worries.
All details come from verified sources like Chairperson Letsie and the AG report.
Follow updates from Parliament and the Auditor-General for developments on the ETDP SETA investigation.
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