Audit Flags Serious Higher Education Flaws

Auditor-General (A-G) Tsakani Maluleke has raised serious concerns about the accuracy of performance reporting at the Department of Higher Education and Training in its 2024/25 annual report.

Maluleke’s audit uncovered material misstatements in several areas, including planning, policy and strategy, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), skills development, and Community Education and Training. She reported that not all misstatements were corrected, despite assurances from management.

This stands in contrast to the department’s head, Nkosinathi Sishi, who confirmed in the annual report that the information disclosed was consistent, complete, and accurate. “In my opinion, the annual report fairly reflects the operations, performance, human resources information, and financial affairs of the department for the financial year ended 31 March 2025,” Sishi stated.

However, Maluleke’s audit found otherwise. For example, the department claimed to have completed three TVET campuses, meeting its annual target, but the audit evidence did not support this. The A-G estimated the achievement to be materially less than reported. Similarly, the department reported delivering 2,471 student beds against a target of 5,000, yet adequate evidence to verify this was missing.

The report also questioned figures on apprenticeships, internships, and work-integrated learning, as well as the number of learners enrolled in engineering and trade-related courses at TVET colleges. A total of 34,324 students were reported against a target of 33,000, but audit evidence suggested the figure was higher than stated.

On skills development, Maluleke said the reported achievements did not match actual results and were likely far less than presented. She attributed the shortcomings to a lack of adequate controls in performance reporting and monitoring.

“The processes in place for the collection and review of performance information and underlying data were ineffective. The department did not have a proper records management system to maintain evidence supporting reported achievements,” Maluleke said.

The Auditor-General further noted that the department’s action plan failed to address deficiencies, resulting in repeat findings.

Audit committee chairperson Trevor Boltman acknowledged the shortcomings, saying that while steps had been taken to respond to previous issues, they were ineffective. He confirmed that the committee had advised management to develop a stronger plan to address the root causes highlighted in Maluleke’s findings.