News24 | Sheriff serves SETA notice to attach R1.5m assets for failing to pay ex-manager's outstanding salary

According to the news report from News24, the South African government entity, SETA (Skills Education Training Authority), has been served with a notice by the sheriff to attach assets worth approximately R1.5 million (around $98,000) due to its failure to pay an ex-manager his outstanding salary. The manager in question was dismissed by SETA in July 2020, but despite this, he has yet to receive his final payment.

The sheriff's notice is a legal document that authorizes the seizure and sale of property or assets to satisfy a debt or judgment. In this case, the sheriff has been instructed to seize and sell assets belonging to SETA, up to the value of R1.5 million, in order to settle the outstanding debt owed to the former manager.

The exact reason for the delay in payment is not mentioned in the news report, but it is clear that the non-payment of the manager's salary has reached a critical point, leading to the involvement of the sheriff and the potential seizure of SETA's assets.

It is important to note that this is not the first time that SETA has faced financial difficulties or controversy surrounding unpaid salaries. In 2019, the organization was criticized for its financial mismanagement and was ordered by the Labour Court to pay back over R300 million in unpaid wages to thousands of workers.

The current situation with the former manager's salary adds to the growing concerns about the financial stability and transparency of SETA, and raises questions about why the organization has once again failed to make a timely payment to an employee. The situation is also likely to attract further scrutiny from labor unions, workers, and the public, who are calling for accountability and action from the organization.

In conclusion, the news report highlights the serious consequences of non-payment of salaries by employers, even in the case of government entities like SETA. The involvement of the sheriff and the potential seizure of assets is a drastic measure, but it underscores the importance of ensuring that employees are paid their rightful wages in a timely and fair manner. The situation also underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public funds and the handling of employee salaries by organizations like SETA.