ETDP SETA: EDUCATION UNIONS DEMAND IMMEDIATE ACTION TO HALT ALLEGED CORRUPTION, PROTECT WORKERS, AND PREVENT FURTHER WASTEFUL EXPENDITURE
The education unions, SADTU and NAPTOSA, issue this joint media release in the public interest. We do so to protect education and training workers, safeguard public funds, and restore credibility to the Education, Training and Development Practices SETA (ETDP SETA).
We note the Minister of Higher Education and Training’s written instruction to the ETDP SETA Accounting Authority to submit, through the Department, an urgent and comprehensive report on the Marshalltown lease matter. The Minister has requested details on the procurement process, the lease terms, building compliance and occupational health and safety, financial exposure, governance and accountability, and the remedial measures being implemented, within 48 hours.
Our unions state, unequivocally, that this ETDP SETA Board opposed this deal from day one. The Board’s decisions, as we understand them, were aimed at preventing further loss and risk, including: (i) not proceeding with the Marshalltown building arrangement due to serious concerns about habitability, regulatory compliance, and employee safety; (ii) instructing the Acting CEO/Administrator to secure and protect ETDP SETA assets, particularly computers and related equipment at the premises; and (iii) directing that no further payments be made, including the reported rental amount of R600,000 per month, pending a lawful resolution of the matter and to prevent further fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
It is alleged that, despite these Board decisions and the seriousness of the matter, the Acting CEO has acted in defiance of governance processes. It is further alleged that the CEO post was advertised, but that the Acting CEO subsequently amended the requirements It is also alleged that the Legal Compliance Officer was suspended by the Acting CEO for implementing Board decisions intended to protect public funds and advance compliance.
It is also alleged that the DHET representative on the Board has repeatedly supported the Acting CEO in a manner that undermines collective accountability and frustrates Board resolutions. The unions further note allegations that certain officials have sought to shift responsibility to political principals. The unions further note allegations that certain officials have sought to “throw ministers under the bus” for failures that are, in truth, rooted in internal administrative breakdowns. We record that the Minister was informed of these frustrations and obstacles on 18 December 2025.
As organised labour in education, we acknowledge that our public silence, for too long, allowed this rot to deepen. That period is over. The unions have taken a firm decision to stop alleged corruption, protect workers, and save the SETA, and, by extension, the integrity of the national skills development system
Accordingly, the unions demand the following immediate actions:
- Immediate implementation of all lawful Board resolutions relating to the Marshalltown lease and associated expenditure controls.
- An immediate halt to any further payments connected to the Marshalltown premises, pending lawful termination, recovery steps, or other remedial action, to prevent further fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
- A verified inventory and protection plan for all ETDP SETA assets, including IT equipment reportedly located at the premises.
- An independent investigation into the procurement process, compliance documentation, payments made, and any irregularities, with clear consequence management in line with the PFMA and applicable law, including the continuation of the forensic investigation stopped by the Acting Ceo.
- The precautionary suspension of the Acting CEO, with immediate effect, pending the outcome of investigations, given the seriousness of the allegations and the need to protect evidence, systems and staff.
- Noting that the Acting CEO is at the end of her tenure. Under no circumstances can this tenure be extended.
- The immediate reinstatement of the Legal Compliance Officer, in line with the board decision and protection of whistle-blowers and compliance officials from retaliation.
- A stabilisation plan for administration and leadership, including a transparent CEO recruitment process aligned to Board-approved requirements and good governance practice.
- The appointment of the recommended Exco, which has been deliberately interfered with, leaving a governance void thus allowing the Acting Ceo freedom to continue her reign of administrative terror.
- A joint engagement convened by DHET with the Accounting Authority and organised labour to receive a briefing on the Minister-requested report and to agree on firm timelines for remedial action.
We reiterate that the ETDP SETA must serve the public good. Worker safety cannot be compromised, and public funds cannot be sacrificed through management failure. The unions will pursue all lawful avenues, administrative, oversight and organisational to ensure accountability, protect staff, and prevent further decline.
Issued by:
South African Democratic Teachers ’Union (SADTU)
National Professional Teachers ’Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA)