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By Johnathan Paoli
The Democratic Alliance plans on formally refering Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to Parliament’s Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests for allegedly misleading the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education.
The move follows mounting controversy over the selection process of board chairpersons for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
According to DA MP and committee member Karabo Khakhau, the referral stems from Nkabane’s claim that all members of the SETA Board Chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel were independent.
“Minister Nkabane doctored her cadres deployment SETA Selection and Evaluation Panel. She lied that the people are independent. They are not. They are her own staff and officials of the department. But she is still protecting one mystery person,” Khakhau said on social media.
The DA alleges that recent disclosures prove that the minister appointed ANC-aligned individuals through a flawed and opaque process.
Under pressure from Parliament and civil society, Nkabane released the names of the panel members more than a week after the initial deadline.
The six-member panel includes:
Senior counsel Terry Motau, who was appointed as chairperson but reportedly never attended any meetings
Asisipho Solani, a former SA Student Congress leader and ANC Youth League member, currently serving as an advisor to the minister
Nelisiwe Semane, chief of staff in the Ministry of Higher Education
Mabuza Ngubane, chief director for SETA coordination
Rhulani Ngwenya, deputy director-general for corporate services in the Department of Higher Education and Training
One unnamed individual identity remains concealed due to “personal discomfort”, according to the minister.
According to Khakhau, Nkabane has also withheld two names from the National Skills Authority (NSA) Selection and Evaluation Panel, as well as one each from panels overseeing the Universities Council and the Council for Higher Education (CHE), further fueling opposition concerns.
The DA argues that the presence of ministerial staff and political affiliates on the selection panel undermines its independence and violates principles of fair governance.
Khakhau further stated that the DA would push for the full release of all minutes, reports and documents related to the SETA appointment process, particularly those submitted to the NSA for final decision-making.
Tebogo Letsie, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, confirmed that the committee had repeatedly demanded the names of the panel, insisting that disclosure was a constitutional obligation.
Letsie added that the committee would investigate the selection process for the 21 SETA boards, which were central to national skills development and vocational training.
The scandal has drawn widespread criticism across the political spectrum. The DA, along with other opposition parties such as the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), has accused Nkabane of using SETA appointments to reward ANC loyalists.
The MKP denounced the appointments as “corrupt and politically motivated”, arguing that they reflected the ruling party’s entrenched practice of cadre deployment.
Late last month, Nkabane withdrew the list of appointed SETA board chairpersons following public outcry and reports of political interference.
In a statement issued by her office, the minister expressed her readiness to appear before the committee and explain the process that vetted 573 applicants.
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