DA Files Criminal Case Over R637 Million ETDP SETA Expenditure Irregularities

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a criminal complaint against officials at the ETDP SETA, citing their failure to account for more than R637 million in expenditure.

The move follows a qualified audit opinion issued by the Auditor-General of South Africa for the 2024/25 financial year, which highlighted missing documentation linked to discretionary grants.

While Tebogo Letsie, chairperson of Parliament’s Higher Education Committee, has cautioned against rushing to conclusions, the DA insists the audit findings warrant immediate action.

DA Opens Criminal Case Against ETDP SETA Officials

DA national spokesperson and higher education representative Karabo Khaukhau confirmed that she has approached Cape Town Central Police Station to open a case against accounting officials responsible during the period under review.

Khaukhau argued that the audit findings cannot be dismissed and pointed to structural failures within the SETA.

“The Public Finance Management Act makes it very clear that accounting authorities are supposed to flag [irregularities] with the Auditor General and be able to constitute consequence management for the misappropriation of public funds. This has not happened.”

She further stated that the ETDP SETA lacks an internal audit structure, which she said hindered the Auditor-General’s work.

Parliament Committee Response To Auditor-General Findings

Letsie pushed back against the DA’s approach, suggesting that the flagged expenditure may still have legitimate explanations.

“It’s not necessarily true that there are no invoices. Irregular expenditure is an accounting term that says how you spent the money may not have been in the best interest of the SETA. But it doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t know where the money went.”

However, Khaukhau rejected this view, accusing Letsie of shielding members of the African National Congress (ANC).

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Parliament Has Final Say On Ethics Findings Against Former Minister Nobuhle Nkabane

Parliament’s portfolio committee is expected to investigate the matter when it reconvenes after the Easter break, as scrutiny intensifies over governance and financial controls within the ETDP SETA.