MKP expresses grave concern over AG's report on SETAs

MK PARTY EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT REVEALING IRREGULAR SETA BOARD APPOINTMENTS UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING 7 September 2026 The uMkhonto weSizwe Party ('MK Party') notes, with grave concern, the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA)'s scathing report, which has revealed irregular board appointments across 15 of the 21 Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) falling under the Department of Higher Education and Training. The AGSA's findings uncover gross transgressions of governance principles including transparency, due process, fairness and accountability. The findings reveal that just over 70% of the Board appointments across the various SETAs were devoid of due process and riddled with governance failures. Once again, the Department of Higher Education and Training and the Minister have been found wanting. The AGSA's report is but another reminder of the Minister's failure to provide the oversight, strategic direction, and operational leadership required within his portfolio to reform the Department and address its longstanding governance failures. A process initiated by the Minister himself, intended to stabilise and restore the integrity of the SETAs, has instead become engulfed in controversy and further entrenched the challenges facing these authorities. It is inconceivable that basic recruitment processes were not followed to the extent that even elementary measures and standards, such as criminal record checks, remained outstanding at the time some board members were appointed. In addition, some board members did not meet the minimum academic requirements. These findings by the AGSA are indicative of the impunity that continues to characterise our public institutions, where governance principles are treated as optional for some. As the MK Party, we demand the immediate suspension of all board members implicated in the irregular appointment process, as well as a full investigation into the conduct of all parties involved in the recruitment process. If the Minister has any regard for the little public confidence that may remain in his ability to lead the department in the right direction, we call on him to fully account for these serious transgressions, publicly address the findings of the report, and take the necessary remedial and corrective action. Issued by Sifiso Mahlangu, National Spokesperson, uMkhonto weSizwe Party, and 7 September 2026.