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City Press reports that a forensic investigation has exposed a sophisticated bribery and fraud scheme at the Construction Education and Training Authority (Ceta), where a senior official systematically extorted money from skills providers desperate to get student certificates processed.
The report by law firm Bowmans reveals how a certification officer turned her government position into a personal cash cow. The corruption began unravelling in September last year when the officer approached Thandiwe Momubaghan, director of JOT Tirelo 13 Trading, with an illegal proposition. Student certificates that should have been processed since November 2023 were gathering dust in Ceta’s bureaucratic maze. The official demanded R8,000 upfront from Momubaghan and another R8,000 on delivery. Banking records obtained by investigators confirm Momubaghan transferred R8,000 into the officer’s personal Capitec account on 16 September last year.
The investigation reveals how the official manufactured fake progress reports. These included doctored screenshots purporting to show certificates “printed and awaiting signatures”. But, the students had never been registered, verified or processed through any legitimate channels. Meanwhile, legitimate students are trapped in bureaucratic purgatory while officials profit from their desperation. The report recommends criminal prosecution, disciplinary proceedings for bribery, fraud and unauthorised absence, the blacklisting of JOT Tirelo 13 Trading pending satisfactory explanations, and a comprehensive system overhaul, including access controls and supervision protocols. A Gauteng police spokesperson confirmed a case of fraud had been opened.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
- Read too, Controversial Seta administrators hit back at corruption claims and vow to restore integrity, at Daily Maverick
Get other news reports at the SA LabourNews home page