A top higher education boss has been suspended over poor audit outcome allegedly involving a skills fund of about R900 million.
Sources close to the matter tell The Bulrushes that the multi-million rand skills project was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic but the funds cannot be accounted for.
Commenting on the matter, Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande said he, “notes the precautionary suspension of the Director-General (DG) of the Department of Higher Education and Training, Gwebinkundla Qonde”.
A statement from the ministry released late Friday said Qonde’s suspension was in terms of the Public Service Act and the SMS handbook.
However, no details were provided for Qonde’s suspension.
Qonde was suspended in the wake of a disclaimer audit opinion by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).
The AGSA has indicated that it cannot rely on the information provided to it by the department, which nullifies everything reported.
Following Qonde’s suspension, Minister Nzimande said he had appointed an acting DG.
He said the Department of Science and Innovation, Director-General, Dr. Phil Mjwara will act as the DG of the Department of Higher Education and Training until the conclusion of the investigations into Qonde’s matter and any process that may ensue thereafter.
Mjwara was appointed with immediate effect, said Nzimande.
The minister wished Mjwara well in his new responsibility and urged all department employees and stakeholders of the department to fully cooperate with the acting DG.
