The MAPPP SETA was established in terms of the Skills Development Act to promote training and development within its economic sector.

However, the ‘creative' side of the SETA did not function well with the more traditional print and packaging arm. Arrangements inherited from the Industry Training Board that predated the SETA were the subject of dispute between stakeholders.

When former civil servant Melanie Bernard-Fryer was appointed as CEO, she promised to deal with the allegations. However, after speaking out against alleged corruption in the organization, she was the subject of death threats. Private security officers had to be employed to protect her and other senior staff. After returning from a period of sick leave, Bernard-Fryer was dismissed by the board of the SETA.

Minister has now acted

Bombarded with calls to deal with the situation, Mdladlana has now acted. In terms of a notice in the Government Gazette (No 30368) the Director General of the Labour Department has suspended the board and the operation of the constitution of the MAPPP SETA. He has appointed PriceWaterhouseCoopers as administrators of the SETA for a period of six months. It will take over all operations of the SETA, including acting as accounting officer.

The administrator has been tasked with formulating governance procedures for the SETA, determining conditions of employment of senior staff and managing SETA funds. They have also been tasked with consulting widely with stakeholders on the establishment of a new constitution for the SETA.

The administrator will have to submit monthly reports to the Department of Labour on progress made at the SETA.

Bernard-Fryer described herself as very emotional on hearing news that the board and constitution of the SETA was suspended and an administrator appointed.

“I thank the Lord for his grace which allowed me and my family to get through this 10 months,” Bernard-Fryer told the Skills Portal (www.skillsportal.co.za) in an interview straight after the announcement.

Actions vindicated

Bernard-Fryer considers the minister's decision to be a vindication of the action she took to expose what she believed was corruption in the SETA.

“For me and my family we have been through hell and want to thank all those who supported me".

The experience has taken its toll on Bernard-Fryer, whose health has worsened and is now without an income. “I was unlawfully dismissed without a hearing because I called for a full forensic audit from January 2001,” she says.

“I am thankful for the learners who will now be able to continue with their studies. I know of a number of service providers who went out of business because they were not paid by the MAPPP SETA,” she adds.

“Sorry tale”

“This has been a sorry tale for those who want to see a general increase in the level of skills in the workplace,” says Alan Hammond, editor of online publication The Skills Portal (www.skillsportal.co.za). “Rather than focusing on training, and developing employees with in the sector, most of the time of the SETA has been taken up with dealing with the claims and counter claims that have been thrown around”.

“The Skills Development Act empowers the employees and employers in each sector to be responsible for their own training and development. It has obviously become clear to the minister that the stakeholders in this sector are not capable of doing this so the power has been taken away from them,” concludes Hammond.

[10 Oct 2007 10:39]

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