Minister Nzimande statement on the outcome of the Labour Appeal Court decision on the matter involving the Construction Education and Training Authority
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, welcomes the decision of the Labour Appeal Court of South Africa to nullify the decision of its lower court setting aside the application to place the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) under administration.
The above decision marks the victory of public interest over personal, selfish and greedy elements within the CETA, including nefarious agendas to loot the entity.
Minister Nzimande took a decision to place CETA under administration pursuant to section 15 (4) of the Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 (‘SDA’).
Prior to taking these decisions on 14 December 2019, Minister Nzimande addressed correspondence to the CETA chairperson, Mr Raymond Cele indicating his intention to act in terms of s 15 (4) of the SDA.
“In my letter I raised ten (10) allegations which illustrated a profound lack of governance in the operations of the CETA, including gross financial management, irregular payment of pension benefits and salary increments and serious lapses of governance in procurement processes,” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande says that he expressed the view that CETA was on the brink of collapse and it was incumbent upon him to restore good governance to the operations of the entity.
“It is at that time when I requested that the CETA Board make representations to me by no later than 10 January 2020; in particular, as to why I should not act in terms of s 15 (4) of SDA” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande said on the basis of the inadequate response provided by the CETA Board, he decided to order an independent investigation into the operations of the CETA.
“I will continue to fight all forms of corruption and maladministration in any of my portfolio departments and all their entities. I will not sit by and observe when government is becoming a source of rot and looting by some within it, acting in cahoots with those who have their private and personal interest within the entities” said Minister Nzimande.
Minister Nzimande further reiterated his statement that “I want to make it clear that
no amount of legal or any other delaying tactics are going to divert me from getting to the bottom of what seems to be serious rot in CETA. The intention to have placed
CETA under administration was precisely to get to bottom the of these matters, nail the culprits and, in the process, help clear those who are clean but often get wrongly implicated in such matters”.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
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