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Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Cracks in the skills system — allegations of corruption, waste, cover-ups in SA's Setas (Part 1)
South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities have once again landed in the headlines, this time over former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane's bungled appointment panel. Allegations ranging from political interference and misleading Parliament, to questionable board appointments have set off a storm of public outrage, legal reviews and parliamentary scrutiny. A look beyond the immediate uproar over former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane's bungled appointment panel reveals that South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas) are anything but recent. Long before Nkabane's tenure, these institutions were plagued by governance failures and corruption. Read more: Educated for leadership and engulfed by scandal, Minister Nkabane faces her sternest test. Damning case studies – on the Local Government Seta (LGSeta), the Health and Welfare Seta (HWSeta), and the Service Seta – reveal just how extensively public funds have been misused. LGSeta under fire for tender scandal and millions in wasteful spending The LGSeta has found itself entangled in controversy following a whistle-blower tip-off received by its current CEO, Ineeleng Molete. The whistle-blower, via former board chairperson Phumlani Mntambo, raised serious allegations of corruption, triggering a forensic investigation in 2022. The findings were staggering. Investigators uncovered systemic governance failures, including procurement irregularities linked to a R2.3-billion tender process riddled with noncompliance. The report also cited the irregular appointment of training providers, unauthorised discretionary grant allocations, financial bias and overpayments. Appearing before Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education in May 2025, Molete confirmed that a criminal case had been opened with the Hawks but said LGSeta was unable to name those implicated while legal proceedings were ongoing. Daily Maverick followed up with LGSeta to understand whether the case was still active. Molete said it is pending further investigation by the Hawks, adding that 'no arrests of individuals have been made by SAPS'. Reports of financial mismanagement didn't end there. In the 2023/24 financial year, LGSeta recorded R39.7-million in fruitless and wasteful expenditure, including R172,000 on trip-related incidentals. Molete defended the spending, explaining that R39,519,356.83 related to discretionary grant contracts that expired on 31 March 2024. 'While funds were disbursed, no money was lost or unnecessarily paid. The initial concern was deemed invalid and has been removed in the current financial year,' he said. He added that R122,800.00 was for learners who had passed away during their programmes. 'Consequently, despite funds having been committed for their development, LGSeta could not fully achieve the intended value for money,' Molete said. Another R104,651.00 had gone to a professor invited on an LGSeta trip as a subject matter expert, while R39,272.13 had been used during an official travel trip. Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority The HWSeta recorded R1.72-million in wasteful expenditure in 2023, including unpaid stipends, accommodation for absent learners, post-resignation salaries and interest on overdue invoices. Irregular spending hit R2.8-million due to inflated purchase orders and payments to unregistered stakeholders, though an internal probe confirmed only R160,000 was formally irregular. HWSeta has opened legal action against organisations that withheld learner stipends, including Afrika Connect (R900,000), Ludziwo Foundation (R469,000), Remmogo VE (R166,000) and Lithala Financial Education (R989,000). Two additional lawsuits loom. Lerong Consulting (Pty) Ltd is suing HWSeta for R823,267 over an alleged contract breach, with legal costs of R800,000, while True Harvest College seeks damages for reputational and financial losses, anticipating R550,000 in legal fees. HWSeta spokesperson Rulleska Singh told Daily Maverick about the disciplinary measures taken against those who signed off on payments to entities not registered with CIPC and the current status of the legal proceedings. 'Where wrongdoing was established, disciplinary proceedings were concluded, resulting in dismissals of responsible personnel… The Lerong Consulting matter remains ongoing, with a trial date yet to be set. The True Harvest College case has a trial date scheduled for 2026,' said Singh. She added: 'When stipend misuse was identified through the organisation's tip-off hotline, immediate action was taken, including referrals to legal representatives and opening cases with the South African Police Service. Of the 302 learners affected by these incidents, 232 have been compensated thus far. Recovery processes continue for all outstanding amounts.' DM
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Lotto and Lotto Plus results: Saturday, 19 July 2025
Tonight's Lotto Jackpot is R39 million! Here are your Lotto and Lotto Plus results. Get the Lotto and Lotto Plus results as soon as they are drawn on The Citizen, so you can rest easy and confidently check your tickets. Estimated Lotto and Lotto Plus jackpots: Lotto: R8 million Lotto Plus 1: R28 million Lotto Plus 2: R3 million Lotto and Lotto Plus results for Saturday, 19 July 2025: Lotto: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 Bonus: 00 Lotto Plus 1: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 Bonus: 00 Lotto Plus 2: 00, 00, 00, 00, 00, 00 Bonus: 00 The winning Lotto numbers will appear after the draw. Usually within 10 minutes of the draw. You might need to refresh the page to see the updated results. While great care has been taken to ensure accuracy, The Citizen cannot be held responsible for any error in the results. We suggest verifying the numbers on the National Lottery website. For more details and to verify the PowerBall results, visit the National Lottery website. When do South African National Lottery ticket sales close? Lottery outlets close at 8:30pm on the day of a draw, which takes place at 9pm. The terms and conditions may differ from those of other service outlets. Visit for more information. You can find the historical winning numbers for PowerBall and Lotto draws here. How much does it cost to play Lotto? Lotto entries cost R5 per board including VAT. Lotto Plus costs an additional R2.50 per board. You can also play PowerBall on selected banking apps (T's & C's apply).
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Second R39m jackpot winner steps forward after bank alert
The second winner, a panelbeater and regular National Lottery player, walked away with R39.48 million. The wait is over. Ithuba has confirmed that both winners of the R78.9 million Lotto jackpot from the 18 June 2025 draw have now come forward. The second lucky player was alerted to his fortune by none other than his bank. 'It feels absolutely surreal' The second winner, a panel beater and regular National Lottery player, used a banking app to purchase his winning ticket for R200 using the Quick Pick method. He walked away with R39.48 million. 'I just found out, and it feels absolutely surreal,' he said after receiving the life-changing call. 'Although I'm a regular player, the thought of winning always sounded so far-fetched, but I had hope. Now, here I am, a multi-millionaire Lotto jackpot winner!' He said he immediately called his wife to share the news and is still processing the magnitude of the win. While he hasn't made concrete plans, he intends to invest a portion of the money, donate to charity, and indulge his love for biking. 'This win definitely gives me more freedom to explore my passions without limit,' he said. Ithuba CEO Charmaine Mabuza congratulated both winners. 'This winner is still wrapping his head around his new multi-million status, and we plan on helping him every step of the way. 'We are passionate not only about responsible playing, but responsible winning too,' she said. ALSO READ: Could it be you? Woman bags R39 million – but another R39 million is still up for grabs First winner plans business growth Earlier this week, Ithuba announced that the first jackpot winner, a self-employed Johannesburg mother, had also claimed her R39.4 million share. She bought her ticket at a local superstore and intends to buy a house, a car, and invest in her business. With her winnings, the woman plans to secure her family's future, buy a home and a car, and invest further in her business. 'I'm excited to expand my business and purchase an industrial machine that will really elevate my business,' she said. 'And, of course, I plan to continue to Phanda, Pusha, Play!' Winners of R50 000 or more are entitled to free trauma counselling and financial advice from Ithuba. All National Lottery winnings are tax-free, and only players aged 18 and older may participate. 'Congratulations to both winners. This is what dreams are made of,' Mabuza concluded. NOW READ: Daily Lotto results: Wednesday, 25 June 2025
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Panelbeater becomes millionaire after winning Lotto jackpot
A second winner has come forward to claim his share of more than R78 million. Image: File A panelbeater has claimed his share of the R78 million Lotto jackpot, revealing his plans for the winnings and surreal moment he learned he had won. The second winner has won over R39 million from draw number 2551 held on June 18. He purchased his winning ticket via a banking app with a R200 wager, using the Quick Pick selection method. He said he found out he won when he received a call from his bank notifying him of his winnings. "I just found out, and it feels absolutely surreal," he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ He said he played the National Lottery every week and had never won such a significant amount of money. "Although I'm a regular player, the thought of winning always sounded so far-fetched, but I had hope. Now, here I am, a multi-millionaire Lotto jackpot winner." He added: "I immediately called my wife to inform her of this stroke of luck." He shared that while he does not yet have a detailed plan for his winnings, he intended to make a significant change in his and his family's life. "I plan to invest a significant amount of the winnings and donate some to a charitable cause. I love riding my bike in my spare time; this win definitely gives me more freedom to explore my passions without limit."
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Panelbeater becomes millionaire after winning Lotto jackpot
A second winner has come forward to claim his share of more than R78 million. Image: File A panelbeater has claimed his share of the R78 million Lotto jackpot, revealing his plans for the winnings and surreal moment he learned he had won. The second winner has won over R39 million from draw number 2551 held on June 18. He purchased his winning ticket via a banking app with a R200 wager, using the Quick Pick selection method. He said he found out he won when he received a call from his bank notifying him of his winnings. "I just found out, and it feels absolutely surreal," he said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading He said he played the National Lottery every week and had never won such a significant amount of money. "Although I'm a regular player, the thought of winning always sounded so far-fetched, but I had hope. Now, here I am, a multi-millionaire Lotto jackpot winner." He added: "I immediately called my wife to inform her of this stroke of luck." He shared that while he does not yet have a detailed plan for his winnings, he intended to make a significant change in his and his family's life. "I plan to invest a significant amount of the winnings and donate some to a charitable cause. I love riding my bike in my spare time; this win definitely gives me more freedom to explore my passions without limit."
