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Hawks head signals possible prosecutions over R2.5bn missing from National Skills Fund

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newsBL Premium reports that the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) are investigating suspected fraud, corruption and money laundering in several projects tied to the National Skills Fund (NSF) for development, education and training.

The NSF is a public entity in the department of higher education & training aimed at supporting national skills development. The standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) in parliament ordered investigations in May 2021, after a second consecutive auditor-general (AG) report found more than R2.5bn in NSF funds could not be traced. The AG’s report also resulted in the suspension in 2021 of the department’s former director-general, Gwebinkundla Qonde, and the fund’s former CEO, Mvuyisi Macikama. On Thursday, Scopa members heard of the widespread fraud, corruption and money laundering at the fund and expressed concerned at the sample size in the department’s forensic report. It assessed only one-third of the 30 projects already flagged by the AG. “We think there is much more,” admitted director-general Nkosinathi Sishi. Disciplinary processes have begun at the fund, with rackets involving scores of staff and service providers countrywide. Hawks head Godfrey Lebeya said the department handed over material in October, and hinted at criminal prosecution by the National Prosecuting Authority. “There is already a plan that is unfolding,” Lebeya said. But the department expects to recover only some of the billions earmarked for public training and skills development after conviction.

  • Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Erin Bates at BusinessLive (subscriber access only)
  • Read too, SIU could soon be involved in probe into fraud at the National Skills Fund, at TimesLive


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