The report relates to R5 billion that was not properly accounted for at the National Skills Fund, which led to an investigation by the auditor-general.
THE REPORT on the investigation into the National Skills Fund (NSF) is expected to be handed over to Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) after it issued a directive to the Department of Higher Education and Training to submit the report within 10 days.
The forensic investigation was recommended by Scopa following disclaimed audit outcomes from the auditor-general.
During a Scopa meeting last week, the committee was expecting an update on the investigation and to receive the report. However, instead of presenting the investigation report, the department only presented a summary and argued that the report could not be shared with Scopa due to “sensitivities and people’s names that are mentioned”.
The committee was told that sharing the report could compromise the department and expose it to litigation.
However, Scopa was not convinced with this explanation and wanted to know if this decision was based on legal advice.
Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa lambasted the department, headed by Minister Blade Nzimande, for not presenting the report as expected.
“We don’t agree with the sentiment that the report cannot be revealed because it contains people’s names. Can we please get the report in the next 10 days and we will engage further after that,” Hlengwa said.
“Once we have received the report, we will consider it accordingly. We have got a vested interest in that report because the investigation arose out of disclaimers, which were of very serious concern to us,” he added.
The report relates to R5 billion that was not properly accounted for at the National Skills Fund, which led to an investigation by the auditor-general.
