Pretoria: Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr. Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing of a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to probe the affairs of the National Skills Fund. The investigation will target allegations of maladministration and potential mismanagement of funds within the NSF.
According to South African Government News Agency, the SIU will focus its investigation on procurement and contracting processes related to skills development programmes and training projects. The inquiry will scrutinize the possible improper conduct by NSF officials and employees, covering a timeframe from 1 January 2013 to 28 March 2025, and will also assess the involvement of service providers and suppliers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Minister Nkabane confirmed that a meeting between the SIU and the NSF has already taken place. During this meeting, the SIU officially served the NSF with a letter of intent, outlining the scope of the investigation and the requirements from the NSF to aid the process.
The Minister stressed that as a law-abiding entity, the National Skills Fund will comply with all legal requirements, providing necessary information and internal investigative reports to the SIU. She expressed confidence that the investigation would facilitate the NSF’s reorientation as a pivotal agent of change in the community and the country.
Nkabane also reiterated the NSF’s significant role in promoting national skills development and its commitment to initiatives aimed at empowering South Africa’s youth. ‘We are committed to driving progress and unlocking the potential of our country’s workforce by addressing critical skills shortages,’ she stated.