1. Interference with procurement and corruption
The CETA board received a litany of allegations on the 21st of June 2024 regarding the CEO’s interference with procurement, and contained documentary evidence implicating him. Despite damning allegations of him contravening the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and a demand from the Portofolio Committee members of the Department of Higher Education and Training that he accounts to the public, and to prevent possible tampering with evidence, the board has recommended for his suspension to the Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane who remains unmoved. The CEO remains in charge of this institution and allowed by the Minister to temper with evidence since the initial report

2. Bullying and victimization of employees

NEHAWU presented evidence of its members who are employees in that institution to be purged from employment and cited that twelve (12) of its members from a total of seventeen (17) employees have been subjected to unfair disciplinary actions taken against them. The CEO remains ubiquity figure in all allegations against staff. Whistleblowers and those who challenge his delinquency are subjected to victimization and intimidation. They have provided evidence of the union representatives and whistleblowers being subjected to disciplinary actions. 

3. Nepotism & irregular appointments

There are numerous appointments to positions that are not on the approved organizational structure. Despite this being the prerogative of the CEO, recruitment should still be the subject of fair and approved recruitment process. The CEO has abused his powers by fully participating in the recruitment of staff overlooking the responsible HR department in contravention of the organization policy. New staff are brought to the CETA and have been recruited by the CEO without advertising internal and external, and excluding the Union to observe the recruitment process as per the CETA policy.  

4. Mismanagement of public funds 
The CEO has deliberately used a law firm to run internal disciplinary proceedings amounting to more than R30million of public funds within 18 months, despite the CETA having a fully capacitated Human Resources. Staff members are disciplined irregularly to increase the law firm claims, with all allegations emanating from the CEO without involvement of accused persons’ supervisors. The law firm amassing   millions through labour laws with the CETA through the CEO, despite being appointed for “Procurement laws/ Supply Chain”. 

Action sought:

Your signature will put pressure on the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane to sign a concurrence of the suspension letter she already received in July 2024 from the CETA board to place the CEO of the CETA, Mr. Malusi Shezi on suspension. He is currently facing a litany of allegations of corruption and is clearly being allowed to temper with evidence by not being placed on suspension.