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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, demanding that he fire the Administrator of the Construction SETA, Oupa Nkoane.

Yesterday, I, on behalf of the DA, opened a criminal case against the latter.

This follows a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training in Parliament on 13 May 2026. During this meeting, Oupa Nkoane admitted on record that he, alongside the Executive Manager: Strategic Support, Molebogeng Taje, created a R3 million salary package for himself without the authorisation of either the Minister or the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Nkoane created and proceeded to pay himself a salary package that is R600 000 more than what he was offered.

Section 86(2) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) criminalises any wilful or grossly negligent contravention of Sections 50, 51 and 55 of the PFMA by an accounting authority. It is my view that the Administrator’s actions constitute a clear breach of Sections 50(1)(b), 50(2)(a) and (b), 51(1)(b)(ii) and 51(1)(h) of the PFMA.

An Administrator of a SETA should be an honest public servant who is free from any and all allegations and implications of corruption. This is, unfortunately, not the case with Nkoane.

On 19 August 2025, I wrote to the Minister requesting that he reconsider the appointment of Oupa Nkoane as the Administrator of CETA. In that letter, I drew the Minister's attention to the fact that Nkoane, in his former capacity as the Municipal Manager of the Emfuleni Local Municipality, is implicated in a Comperio Forensic Report that details the mismanagement of R872 million in that municipality. I indicated that this implication gave Minister Manamela sufficient grounds to reconsider and withdraw his appointment. He rejected my request and advice.

Today, nine months later, I maintain my submission that Oupa Nkoane is not fit for purpose as Administrator. He was and remains a compromised choice for the role.

SETAs cannot continue to fund ANC patronage and must be scrapped. South African taxpayers deserve to have their money used correctly for its intended purpose. Sustaining the lifestyles of ANC cadres is not the purpose. Ensuring successful and meaningful skills development, job creation and economic inclusion is the purpose.

Issued by Karabo Khakhau MP - DA Deputy Spokesperson on Higher Education and Training