CETA faces scrutiny over R29m in failed projects and R956m in irregular expenditure

South Africa’s Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) is under scrutiny after nearly R29 million was paid to two projects that failed to deliver their intended benefits. Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela told Parliament’s portfolio committee that R15.75 million went to an artisan-development project and R13.26 million to a biometric attendance and stipend-payment system that was never fully operationalised. CETA’s accumulated irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure is approaching R956 million, and both CETA and Services SETA received qualified audit opinions for 2025/26. Under administration since August 2025, the institutions are expected to account for their performance and address weaknesses identified by the Auditor-General.