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Energy and Water Seta spent R58m in public funds on a building that was never used

Daily Maverick · · 994 words · By Siyabonga Goni
Government corruption Public Fund Mismanagement Institutional accountability
open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-03-energy-and-water-seta-blew-r5…

psychologyDetected Techniques

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Loaded Language 80% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
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Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

fact_checkFact-Check Results

16 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.

schedule Pending 6
check_circle Corroborated 3
info Single Source 3
help Insufficient Evidence 3
verified Verified By Reference 1
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“A critical finding in the Auditor-General of South Africa’s General Report for 2024/25 has highlighted governance failures in the skills development arena.”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
While the evidence confirms the existence of the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) and mentions an Integrated Annual Report for 2024/25, none of the provided search results specifically mention 'governance failures in the skills development arena'.
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Pennsylvania Auditor General election of 2020 took place on November 3, 2020. Primary elections were originally due to take place on April 28, 2020. However, following concerns regarding the coron…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020_Pennsylvania_Auditor_Gene…
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) is an office established by the 1996 Constitution of South Africa and is one of the Chapter nine institutions intended to support democracy, although its his…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditor-General_(South_Africa)
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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An auditor general (also called comptroller general or comptroller and auditor general in some jurisdictions) is an independent public official responsible for auditing government finances and operati…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auditor_general
+ 3 more evidence sources
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“The acquisition of the Cape House building in Johannesburg... Originally bought in 2014 for R21.7-million”
CORROBORATED
Multiple independent sources (MSN, PMG, and Sunday Times) confirm that Ewseta purchased the Cape House building in 2014 for approximately R21 million.
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web search NEUTRAL — The acquisition of the Cape House building in Johannesburg is the focal point of the current controversy. Originally bought in 2014 for R21.7-million, the property was intended to curb long-term ...
https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/energy-and-water-seta-b…
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web search NEUTRAL — He stated that the building had been purchased for R21 million, while its refurbishment had cost R35 million. He questioned why EWSETA had opted for refurbishment rather than constructing a new buildi…
https://pmg.org.za/committee-meeting/40288/
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web search NEUTRAL — Sunday Times reports that the purchase of a R21-million building to house 62 employees of the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority is being investigated by the Department of Higher…
https://www.southafricanlabour.co.za/probe-into-excessive-bu…
info
“despite an additional R36.7-million being funnelled into refurbishments through various service providers, the project remains unfinished more than 10 years later.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The PMG source mentions refurbishment costs of R35 million, which is close to the claimed R36.7 million, but the specific figure of R36.7 million and the detail that it remains unfinished 10 years later are not corroborated by a second independent source in the provided evidence.
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web search NEUTRAL — LATEST EWSETA RFQs. The Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA) is one of 21 SETA’s established in terms of section 9 of the Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998...
https://ewseta.org.za/ewseta-latest-rfqs/
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web search NEUTRAL — EWSETA Bursary Closing Date. Applications typically close in early 2026, often around March for bursary streams. Applicants should check the EWSETA website for the specific 2026 closing date since it …
https://www.bursariesafrica.co.za/ewseta-bursary/
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web search NEUTRAL — This year, EWSETA will sponsor and host five innovative SMMEs at the Africa Energy Indaba 2025. These companies will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions, network with industry leaders, an…
https://infrastructurenews.co.za/2025/02/27/ewseta-csir-empo…
info
“the Seta has never occupied the premises, resulting in more than R58-million in wasted public funds.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The MSN source mentions that Ewseta 'blew R58m in public funds on building', which aligns with the claim, but this specific total loss figure is not corroborated by other independent sources in the provided evidence.
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web search NEUTRAL — With Indeed, you can search millions of jobs online to find the next step in your career. With tools for job search, resumes, company reviews and more, we're with you every step of the way.
https://www.indeed.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — With Indeed, you can search millions of jobs online to find the next step in your career. With tools for job search, CVs, company reviews and more, were with you every step of the way.
https://za.indeed.com/
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web search NEUTRAL — Job Search by Indeed. The #1 job site in Canada. Search millions of jobs from thousands of job boards, newspapers, classifieds and company websites on indeed.com
https://ca.indeed.com/
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“In 2014, Errol Gradwell was the CEO of the entity.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (False Bay College, University of Johannesburg, and Labirinto d'Acque) identify Errol Gradwell as the CEO of EWSETA.
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web search NEUTRAL — Errol Gradwell, EWSETA Chief Executive Officer; Mercy Sekano, EWSETA Chairperson; Cassie Kruger, False Bay College Chief Executive Officer and Principal.
https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/499/124033.html
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web search NEUTRAL — Mr Errol Gradwell, Chief Executive Officer of EWSETA, drew attention to the fact that EWSETA is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) to perform all sector-specific quality a…
https://news.uj.ac.za/news/uj-and-ewseta-set-to-promote-gree…
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web search NEUTRAL — Water and democracy in Africa. Errol Gradwell. Ceo of Ewseta – Republic of South Africa.
http://www.labirintodacque.it/en/profile/errol-gradwell/
info
“According to Ewseta records, former minister of agriculture, forestry and fisheries Senzeni Zokwana was the board chairperson.”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided evidence for this claim consists of generic Facebook help pages and does not mention Senzeni Zokwana or Ewseta.
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web search NEUTRAL — Facebook. 155,123,681 likes · 397,088 talking about this. Community Values We believe people can do more together than alone and that each of us plays an important role in helping to create a safe...
https://upload.facebook.com/facebook/
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web search NEUTRAL — This article is for people who are having problems logging into Facebook because they no longer have access to the email address or mobile phone number on their account. If you can access your account…
https://upload.facebook.com/help/132243923516844/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Get help on Facebook I was hacked I can't access the email or mobile number on my account Note: We may prompt you to find your hacked account. Enter your information and proceed, even if you weren't h…
https://upload.facebook.com/help/905515699600797/
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“Mpho Mookapele became part of the financial team in 2016 and was later appointed CEO in 2020”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web sources confirm Mpho Mookapele joined as CFO in 2016 and was appointed CEO in 2020.
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web search NEUTRAL — Mpho joined EWSETA as a CFO in 2016, and after 18 months she was appointed as the Acting CEO for two years, before being appointed to this role on a permanent basis in November 2020.
https://ewseta.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Public_Sect…
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web search NEUTRAL — Mpho Mookapele was appointed as the CFO of the Energy & Water SETA (EWSETA) in 2016. Two years into the role, she was promoted to acting CEO along with her CFO responsibilities, and in 2020, she stepp…
https://cfo.co.za/articles/cfo-mpho-mookapele-uses-her-youth…
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web search NEUTRAL — View Mpho Mookapele CA(SA)’s profile on LinkedIn, a professional community of 1 billion members.
https://za.linkedin.com/in/mpho-mookapele-ca-sa-39a5b916
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“Dr Limakatso Moorosi [was appointed CEO in 2020]”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.
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“The building was purchased from Before Sunset Properties 11 Ltd, and refurbishment was subcontracted to Tristar.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.
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“BDO conducted forensic investigations and confirmed the irregularities and potential fraud”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was found for this claim in the provided search results.
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“I (in my capacity as CFO and later CEO) opened a fraud/criminal case with the SAPS in 2021”
PENDING
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“The case was later closed by the SAPS in 2023”
PENDING
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“Ewseta entered into a lease contract and occupied new offices... at its head office, 22 Wellington Road.”
PENDING
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“the Ewseta recently issued a six-month tender for deep cleaning Cape House in March 2026.”
PENDING
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“the current state of the Cape House building is as follows: There is no Water and Electricity running”
PENDING
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“The Auditor-General recommended that the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) hold the Ewseta and AA accountable for the R58-million loss”
PENDING
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.