Department of Higher Education and Training

Climate of fear or favour | Financial malpractice | Improper appointments | Obstructing accountability

• ACTis has raised four flags for the DHET and placed one under monitoring.

• The dynamics around appointments and administrative interventions at the DHET’s entities are the most concerning. While some of these issues remain contested and subject to legal or investigation outcomes, their persistence across successive ministers suggests a systemic weakness. The large funding pools and numerous executive positions at these entities could motivate those pursuing undue private gain to seek appointment at the DHET. The DHET may also be unable to exercise adequate oversight over such a vast array of public entities.

• Indications suggest that the DHET’s culture rewards loyalty with protection from sanction and sidelines those who resist. This is reinforced by questionable leadership, weak internal controls and inadequate accountability, which work systemically to undermine governance. These dynamics tend to create environments in which an institution is vulnerable to improper influence. ACTis has not found evidence, from publicly available information, of corruption syndicates within the Department, but will continue to monitor the situation.

• DHET’s systemic weaknesses are reflected in poor skills development outcomes by the NSF and SETAs, as well as failures to provide students with adequate financial support through NSFAS.