This news aggregator site highlights South African labour news from a wide range of internet and print sources. Each posting has a synopsis of the source article, together with a link or reference to the original. Postings cover the range of labour related matters from industrial relations to generalist human resources.
News24 reports that the Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Gwebinkundla Qonde, has been suspended pending a forensic investigation into the National Skills Fund.
The suspension comes after a disclaimer audit opinion by the Auditor-General (AG) in respect of the 2019/20 financial year. In a statement, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande noted the precautionary suspension and went on to indicate: "The suspension of the DG is in terms of the Public Service Act and the SMS handbook. Following this precautionary suspension of Director-General Qonde, Minister Nzimande appointed the Department of Science and Innovation, Director General, Dr Phil Mjwara to act as the Director-General of the Department of Higher Education and Training until the conclusion of the investigations and any process that may ensue thereafter." Mjwara was appointed with immediate effect from Friday. The AG found the National Skills Fund’s budget was materially underspent by R1.8 billion. It was also found that the entity did not have adequate systems to maintain records of commitments and earmarked funds. In addition, it could not be determined whether adjustments in the financial statement of R2.5 billion in respect of skills development funding had been necessary. In March the Nationals Skills Fund indicated that it had lodged a dispute over the disclaimer audit.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page