Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande has ordered a full-scale forensic investigation into possible maladministration and corruption at the National Skills Fund (NSF).
The forensic investigation was ordered after the Auditor-General’s report found that close to R5 billion could not be accounted for over two years.
The National Skills Fund was established in 1999 to provide funding for national skills development towards a capable South African citizenry.
The appointment of a forensic company is in addition to the Minister Task Teams (MTT) that was appointed by Nzimande to conduct a strategic review of the NSF.
Nzimande said, “I expect that the MTT recommendations will clearly outline the strategic role and optimal future functional business model to enable NSF’s catalytic contribution to skills development and innovation in the country, considering the revolutionary changing nature of work and change of dynamic between the world of training and the world of work”.
It is expected that the report by the MTT will be handed over with recommendations to Nzimande in June 2022.
Nzimande believes that the current work being done by his department will go a long way in responding to the concerns raised by the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (scopa) and other Parliamentary oversight committees on challenges experienced by the NSF.
