MINISTER NKABANE WELCOMES THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT’S (SIU)INVESTIGATION INTO THE AFFAIRS OF THE NATIONAL SKILLS FUND

MEDIA STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
13 MAY 2025

The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane, who is also the
Executive Authority of the National Skills Fund, has welcomed President Cyril
Ramaphosa’s signing of the Proclamation authorising the SIU’s Investigation into the
National Skills Fund.

The SIU will investigate allegations of serious maladministration, improper or unlawful
conduct by officials or employees of the NSF and the possible mismanagement of
funds allocated to the NSF. The investigation will focus on procurement and
contracting for the implementation of skills development programmes, training projects
and the appointment of implementing agents for the projects listed in the proclamation
signed by the president.

“I wish to confirm that a meeting between the SIU and the National Skills Fund has
already taken place wherein the NSF was served with a letter of intent by the SIU. This
meeting provided an opportunity for a full brief on the scope of the investigation and
what will be required from the entity, to assist the investigation”, said the Minister.

The scope of the investigation will also include unlawful or improper conduct by
suppliers, service providers, and other involved parties, which might have occurred
between 1 January 2013 and 28 March 2025, including additional projects that came
through parliament and recent exposés in the media.

“The National Skills Fund is a law-abiding entity under my department. It has a duty to
comply with the laws of our country and thus will fully participate and make available
all necessary information to the SIU, including information on internal investigations
initiated by the National Skills Fund and previous investigative reports. This we will do,
not only because we are obliged by the law, but also because we believe it will allow
the SIU to do its work with ease. We also believe this investigation and its outcomes
will set the NSF on a new trajectory as it repositions itself as a catalytic change agent
in our communities and the country at large”, said the Minister.

The National Skills Fund plays a pivotal role in advancing skills development across
our country and will continue to support a diverse array of initiatives aimed at
empowering and changing the lives of the youth of South Africa. We are committed to
driving progress and unlocking the potential of our country’s workforce by addressing
critical skills shortages.

• ENDS
  Issued by:
  The Ministry of Higher Education and Training