The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, would like to reiterate that the Department of Higher Education and Training is steadfast to deal with instances of maladministration and corruption at the National Skills Fund (NSF).

Minister Nzimande appointed a forensic investigation company to conduct a full-scale forensic investigation into financial affairs of the NSF after amounts of just under R5 billion could not be properly accounted for over two financial years. 

The Minister equally appointed a Ministerial Task Team (MTT) to conduct a strategic review of the NSF, the general operations of the NSF, its efficiency and relevance with regards to the national skills priorities of the country.

Minister Nzimande said both these appointments were meant to ensure that the NSF accounts for the resources allocated to it and also deal with instances of maladministration and corruption at the NSF.

“Both the reports were submitted to me, and we have begun in earnest the process of implementing the recommendations of both these reports,” confirmed Minister Nzimande.

Minister Nzimande said that the Department of Higher Education and Training also met the deadlines as agreed with the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to submit the Forensic Investigation Report on the NSF as requested by the Committee.

“I can also confirm that as a Department we have already commenced to engage the HAWKS and other law enforcement agencies, including initiating our own internal departmental disciplinary processes.

 This is the reason we requested SCOPA to treat this report as confidential until these processes are finalised and the relevant people informed, in terms of due process. I however must indicate that as a Department we respect the SCOPA decision not to accede to our request. 

I have nothing to hide, but I have a duty, on my part, to follow due process in implementing the recommendations of the forensic investigation. We will implement these recommendations to the letter”. said Minister Nzimande.