Admin
15 Oct, 2020
Allegations of political interference by Minister Nzimande in CHIETA CEO appointment
Dear Mr President Allegations of political interference by Minister Nzimande in CHIETA CEO appointment 1. I have previously raised with you the alleged interference of the political head of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, in that department’s administration and also in the management of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). 2. Yesterday, the Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) announced the appointment of Mr Yershen Pillay as its Chief Executive Officer. 3. Mr Pillay is a former Young Communist League chairperson and, according to our source, is a personal confidant of Minister Nzimande. In fact, in the communication to staff, announcing Mr Pillay’s appointment, Ms Wezi Khoza (Chairperson of the CHIETA Accounting Authority) flaunted that he works in the Minister’s office as Director Stakeholder Management. 4. To provide further information and context, I remind you of my 10 September 2020-letter regarding the Minister’s reward scheme for party cronies, where his direct involvement is alleged in the creation of five DHET posts for which no logic or justification were provided in terms of the Public Service Regulations. Allegedly, these posts were not advertised; nor was there an appointment committee; nor were competency assessments conducted and no vetting or checking of qualifications were undertaken. 5. Mr Pillay was one of those lucky communists and received a whopping salary of just over R88,000 per month in the 2019/20 financial year. So, whilst business at the DHET is run like the Wild Wild West, Mr Pillay has been rewarded a second time, this time with a SETA CEO-ship. 6. Seen against the backdrop of the past allegations made around Dr Nzimande’s seeming empire building, Mr Pillay’s appointment is clearly another block in that structure, and one wonders at the goal. 7. Actions speak louder than words and no matter what Minister Nzimande says, he does not appear to be building a robust, merit-based higher education management system that works in service of South Africa for the long-term. 8. With due respect Sir, the lack of response from your office to the various matters I have raised relating to Minister Nzimande resembles ostrich politics. I therefore hope that you will break your silence on this topic with a definitive stance. 9. The United Democratic Movement will however in the meantime and in good faith persist in raising issues of national importance with you, in line with your cause to rid government of corruption. Yours sincerely Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP President of the United Democratic Movement
Admin
26 Nov, 2018
Why is Services SETA strike not resolved?
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) calls on higher education minister Naledi Pandor and Cosatu to step up to the plate in resolving the Nehawu strike that is dragging on at the Services SETA. As we know there are several reasons for the strike action, including alleged corruption, maladministration and mismanagement by the board. Minister Pandor must take everyone into confidence and explain why there has been no action on her part to resolve this crisis. Or is this lack of action merely because she’s protecting friends and ministers’ wives who sit on the SETAs’ boards. This is an embarrassment and it is the learners who are suffering. Issued by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP UDM President
Admin
06 Feb, 2016
2016 SONA debate: contribution by Mr Bantu Holomisa, MP
ADDRESS BY Mr BH Holomisa MP IN PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA Hon Speaker, Hon President and Members The South African economic situation demands that we adopt an approach that is all inclusive and pragmatic. One of the credits to our country is our ability to resolve challenges through dialogue. Perhaps in resolving the current economic crisis, we need to borrow from our recent past. CODESA delivered political liberation with more still to be done on economic front so that we can have a binding consensus on the macro-economic policy of the country. In this regard, the United Democratic Movement suggests: • That an all-inclusive National Summit be convened to develop and adopt a framework to guide all role players towards a National Economic Transformation Indaba whose resolutions will result to a progressive amendment in the current legislative regime. The proposed Economic Indaba must emerge with a comprehensive blue print of a road to be traversed by the country in dealing with such matters as land, education and skills development, black economic empowerment. Madam Speaker – the security of the worker’s pension needs immediate attention. Given that the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) seems to be a sources of questionable deals for cronies of the ruling elite through amongst others, consortiums like Kilimanjaro Sakhumnotho and some not-for-profit organisations like the “Global Fund for Christ”. In this regard, UDM suggest to all contributors to the Pension and Provident funds, to consider establishing an Independent National Pension Fund Forum, to amongst others: • Monitor investments, auditing and usage of their monies by the Public Investment Corporation and other Financial Institutions. We further propose that a task team led by a retired Judge be established in order to: • Investigate all complaints from ex-mine workers who have been marching to Parliament and Union Buildings, demanding information on their provident funds, allegedly not paid either by the state and or their employers. Madam Speaker, a widely publicised offer by the President to bring finality to the Nkandla saga in the interest of national unity is noted. There is no doubt in any body’s mind that the Nkandla saga has affected many individuals and institutions adversely due to his handling manner against many advices. As we speak, this has affected the trust and confidence of many Public Representatives in this house, who felt abused during this process. In this regard, we appeal to his revolutionary consciousness as a patriot with unquestionable struggle credentials, to place the interests and unity of the nation first and vacate the office with dignity. Further and to avoid another embarrassing sitting President, scoring own goals, the house must demand the long-time promised Ministerial Handbook for scrutiny. South Africans, whilst SONA was very lean on corruption, billions that were supposed to help improve our social ills in this country is being looted left and right. A new phenomenon has emerged through SETAs which are used to divert skills development funds to bottom-less private pockets. Employees who are suspected of blowing the whistle, on alleged corruption against the CEO of the Construction SETA, are either expelled and or suspended in droves. To make things worse, some of these employees were paraded and humiliated when they were taken by the CEO and Chairperson of the Board to an outsider, the Provincial Secretary of the SACP in KZN. The victimised employees have appealed to the Presidency without success. Surely, South Africans, we cannot allow SETAs and the Department of Higher Education and Training to be an SACP employment bureau and a funding vendor. I thank you
