A 34-year-old regional manager from the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority (MERSETA) has been arrested on charges of extortion.

Known for his role in facilitating training and development within various industrial spheres, the manager’s recent actions have raised serious questions about integrity and trust in positions of authority.

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, explained that the MERSETA does not provide direct training but acts as a vital facilitator, funding, registering training providers, and ensuring the quality of training programmes tailored to the industrial needs of the region.

Unfortunately, the regional manager reportedly exploited this responsibility for his personal gain. According to an official report, he demanded a substantial kickback from service providers, extorting between 20% and 30% of their benefits.

The scandal came to light following a successful operation by the Hawks, who specialise in tackling serious corruption. On Saturday, investigators cornered the regional manager just as he received a bribe amounting to R40,000 from one of the service providers in Malelane. All cash was recovered during the operation, sealing his fate as a suspect in this deeply troubling case.

In the aftermath of the arrest, Major General Nico Gerber, the Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in Mpumalanga, urged other service providers who may have fallen victim to similar extortion to come forward.

“Currently, we have only identified one victim. We strongly believe there are many more that kept quiet to secure their training institutions’ survival,” he said.

The regional manager is set to appear before the Tonga Magistrate’s Court on Monday as the investigation continues.

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