The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid criminal charges against Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) administrator Oupa Nkoane over allegations that he unlawfully approved a R3 million annual salary package for himself.
According to the DA, the amount allegedly exceeded the R500 000 salary package prescribed by Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Buti Manamela.
The party said criminal charges were opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS), accusing Nkoane of violating provisions of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA).
DA spokesperson on Higher Education, Karabo Khakhau, said the party is determined to protect public funds from abuse.
“The DA fights to protect public money against looting. Our charges outline serious governance failures,” said Khakhau.
The DA claims Nkoane admitted during a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education meeting that he approved the salary increase, allegedly citing personal financial reasons.
“When confronted about this matter in Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Nkoane admitted to the salary creep citing his own financial reasons,” the DA said.
The party added that it submitted video footage of the parliamentary meeting, along with official committee records, to police as part of the criminal complaint.
According to the DA, the alleged conduct amounts to a criminal contravention of several sections of the PFMA, accusing Nkoane of acting “willfully and in a grossly negligent manner” for personal benefit.
The controversy reportedly escalated after Minister Manamela intervened in January 2026 and overturned the decision, approving a reduced salary package of R2.5 million instead.
The DA alleges that between October 2025 and March 2026, Nkoane received an overpayment of more than R208 000.
“We demand a full criminal investigation and urgent steps to recover any lost public funds,” the party stated.
Police have since opened a case and are expected to assign an investigating officer.
The DA also criticised Nkoane’s appointment, saying he was selected to stabilise CETA but instead became embroiled in controversy.
“Nkoane was appointed by the Minister of Higher Education solely to fix what’s wrong with CETA. Instead, he brought more problems,” the party said.
The opposition party further renewed calls for the scrapping of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), claiming they have failed to deliver meaningful skills development and job creation for young South Africans.
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