The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training will scrutinise the sector education and training authorities (Setas) to better deal with the “myriad” of issues associated with some of these bodies, it said on Wednesday.

After being briefed by two Setas regarding their yearly performance plans (APPs) and strategic plans, the committee deemed it necessary for more attention to be paid to all 21 Setas as part of the committee’s programme for the remainder of the fiscal year.

The culture, arts, tourism, hospitality and sport Seta (CathsSeta) and the safety and security seta (Sasseta) – both currently under administration – briefed the committee.

Among the challenges revealed by the CathsSeta briefing included consistent failure to meet targets, leadership infighting, a qualified audit report, financial irregularities and noncompliance with relevant legislation. For Sasseta, challenges included weak governance, mismanagement of funds, human resources irregularities and poor contract management.

“As a committee, we are concerned that these Setas have been placed under administration. This has a negative impact on the Setas’ mandate to contribute towards skills development in the country,” committee chairperson Yvonne Phosa said.

“There is a skills gap in South Africa and there is money that has been set aside to plug this gap but these bodies aren’t carrying out that responsibility well,” she added.

Phosa further stated that the committee expected to receive quarterly reports from the Setas that were under adminisatration when it would receive quarterly reports from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

“We will, for the remainder of the year, be focusing on the 21 Setas and on ensuring that they are cleaned up so that they can deliver effectively on their mandate,” she said.

Phosa also urged the DHET to strengthen its oversight role over the Setas.

Since the start of their term last year, the committee has had five Setas appearing before it.