DA Reveals R7.3M SETA Salaries, Minister Mantashe’s Son Set to Profit

Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has revealed that board members at the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (merSETA) received an astonishing R6.29 million in the 2023/24 financial year.

According to the DA, the chairperson received a salary of R924,000, positioning merSETA as one of the costliest boards within the SETA system.

“This represents a clear misuse of taxpayer money,” stated DA Spokesperson on Higher Education, MP Matlhodi Maseko, on Wednesday, 6 August 2025.

“While students face NSFAS delays and rising unemployment, politically connected individuals are benefiting from exorbitant SETA salaries.”

The DA also confirmed that Gwede Mantashe’s son was slated for a position on this board before the intervention that exposed the African National Congress’ cadre deployment scheme.

“This was intended to be yet another feeding frenzy for ANC insiders,” Maseko asserted.

“While we thwarted this, it is evident how SETAs are exploited as employment networks for the privileged few.”

The findings emerged from a DA Parliamentary Question, shedding light on how SETAs—initially designed to support skills development—are instead marred by poor governance, irregular spending, and excessive remuneration for board members.

Maseko emphasized: “The Auditor-General has consistently highlighted mismanagement within SETAs, yet board members continue to collect millions without facing any repercussions.

“Meanwhile, graduates wait in line for job opportunities, and students drop out amid NSFAS failures.”

DA demands that Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela takes immediate action on the following:

• A comprehensive audit of all SETA board remuneration and performance.
• Disclosure of board members’ political ties.
• Forensic inquiries into potential fraud and unjust payments.

“We will not permit SETAs to transform into ANC patronage networks,” Maseko declared.

“Students must always be prioritized over corrupt party insiders.”

The DA remains committed to advocating for transparency and accountability to ensure that SETAs fulfill their genuine mission: equipping South Africa’s youth with skills, not financing political elites.

*This article first appeared in our sister publication Techfinancials.co.za