Honourable House Chairperson,
The ACDP asserts that the Portfolio Committee’s report on the appointment process of Chairpersons of the Accounting Authorities of the SETAs, clearly raises serious concerns about procedural integrity and governance standards.
After the initial round which was deemed procedurally flawed, the process, governed by the Skills Development Act, led to the reissue of the call for nominations.
The ACDP has consistently called for ethical leadership, sectoral expertise, and transparent appointments in public entities. This is especially important here, given the billions of rands in public funds that SETAs have to administer.
Yet, the Committee’s report confirms that several SETAs failed to meet the minimum criteria, undermining the credibility of the appointment process.
The Department of Higher Education and Training’s call for nominations, required candidates to hold a postgraduate qualification and demonstrate sector-specific experience; however, civil society groups have criticised the lack of published shortlists and the absence of public interviews.
Furthermore, Section 195 of the Constitution which demands public administration be accountable and governed by high standards of professional ethics, has not been enforced. The opacity surrounding the appointment of SETA chairpersons risks politicisation of skills development and weakens institutional independence.
As Kingdom builders working to fulfil our constitutional mandate, the ACDP insists on the full disclosure of appointment criteria, stakeholder input and performance-linked accountability frameworks, in the appointment processes at SETA’s and other government entities.
I thank you.
