Two major education unions have called for immediate action to halt alleged corruption and financial mismanagement at the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA).
In a joint media statement issued on March 13, the South African Democratic Teachers’ Union (SADTU) and the National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa (NAPTOSA) said they were speaking out to protect workers, safeguard public funds and restore credibility at the training authority.
The unions raised concerns about a controversial lease agreement linked to premises in Marshalltown, Johannesburg.
According to the statement, the Minister of Higher Education and Training has instructed the ETDP SETA Accounting Authority to submit an urgent report within 48 hours detailing the procurement process, lease terms, building compliance, occupational health and safety requirements, financial exposure and governance processes related to the lease.
SADTU and NAPTOSA said the ETDP SETA board had opposed the building arrangement from the start due to concerns about the habitability of the premises, regulatory compliance and the safety of employees.
The unions stated that the board had directed that the Marshalltown building arrangement should not proceed and that no further rental payments — reportedly amounting to R600,000 per month — should be made until the matter is lawfully resolved.
They also said the board had instructed the acting chief executive officer or administrator to secure ETDP SETA assets, including computers and related equipment at the premises.
However, the unions allege that the acting CEO acted in defiance of governance processes and board resolutions.
Further allegations include claims that the CEO position was advertised but that the acting CEO later amended the requirements.
The unions also claim the acting CEO suspended the organisation’s legal compliance officer after the official implemented board decisions intended to protect public funds.
The statement further alleges that a representative from the Department of Higher Education and Training on the board has repeatedly supported the acting CEO in a way that undermines collective accountability.
The unions said they had previously remained silent but decided to speak out in the public interest.
“As organised labour in education, we acknowledge that our public silence, for too long, allowed this rot to deepen. That period is over,” the statement read.
SADTU and NAPTOSA are demanding several urgent interventions, including the immediate implementation of board resolutions related to the Marshalltown lease and a halt to any further payments linked to the property.
They also called for an independent investigation into the procurement process and payments made, with consequence management in line with the Public Finance Management Act if wrongdoing is found.
The unions further called for the precautionary suspension of the acting CEO pending the outcome of investigations, saying the allegations are serious and require protection of evidence and staff.
They also demanded the reinstatement of the suspended legal compliance officer and warned that the acting CEO’s tenure should not be extended.
The unions said the ETDP SETA must serve the public interest and that worker safety and public funds should not be compromised through governance failures.
They added that they would pursue all lawful avenues to ensure accountability and protect employees at the institution.
