COSATU demands urgent interventions by government to stop the rot at CETA

 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) demands urgent interventions by government to stop the rot at the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA).

COSATU is horrified by reports of appalling scandals and malfeasance at CETA and that they are orchestrated by the most senior levels of this embattled Sectoral Education and Training Authority.  Not long ago it was reported the Board and management planned an around the world holiday dressed up as a study tour for nearly a month for themselves with each participant pocketing a quarter of a million Rand.

Reports are now appearing alleging skulduggery with regards to numerous tenders at the cost of millions.  We are equally infuriated by reports that management is threatening action against whistleblowers at the CETA.  The Federation stands firm with our affiliate, NEHAWU, and workers at the CETA who have exposed this pandora’s box of wanton looting.

We applaud the intervention of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.  It is urgent that action be taken to protect the whistleblowers from any threats or acts of victimisation.

It is time the President, Cyril Ramaphosa, intervene to not only place this CETA under administration but also task the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to conduct a forensic investigation of this SETA, including lifestyle audits of the Board and management.

SETAs are funded by employers and workers.  They are mandated to invest in the skills of workers to improve their career and earning potential and boost the productivity of their workplaces and the economy.  They are not there to fund the insatiable lifestyles of a criminal elite.

COSATU will continue to support the efforts of its principled affiliate, NEHAWU, to surgically excise the CETA of this cancer of corruption.  We will also be raising this matter with the Minister and the President.

Issued by COSATU

For more information please contact:

Zanele Sabela(COSATU National Spokesperson)

Cell: 079 287 5788

Email: zanele@cosatu.org.za

OR 

Matthew Parks(COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator)
Cell: 082 785 0687
Email: matthew@cosatu.org.za