By Johnathan Paoli
Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has confirmed that she will be submitting a formal affidavit to Parliament’s Ethics Committee regarding the controversial Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) board chairperson appointment process.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of her department’s budget vote breakfast event with National Skills Fund (NSF) beneficiaries at Northlink College in Bellville, Cape Town on Wednesday, Nkabane said she had formally responded to a request from the Ethics Committee.
“I received documentation from ethics and I’m submitting my affidavit today. So, the process now is handled by ethics, and I don’t know whether the Higher Education Committee is still going to consider it,” she confirmed.
The submission follows mounting political pressure and allegations that she misled Parliament on the independence of the selection panel.
Last month Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education chairperson Tebogo Letsie requested clarification on Nkabane’s previous use of the term “independent panel.”
According to Nkabane, she provided a written response last week.
“The context of what I meant by ‘independent’ is that the panel members had no personal interest or benefit in the appointment process, were experts in their respective fields and acted professionally. Criticism is valid and welcome if it helps us improve systems. We learn as we grow,” she explained.
On Tuesday, the Democratic Alliance laid criminal charges against Nkabane, accusing her of misleading Parliament and constituting fraud.
When asked for her reaction, Nkabane said she would allow the legal processes to unfold.
“I’m going to comply with the rule of law. I have nothing further to say at this stage,” she responded.
The controversy stems from the botched appointment SETA board chairs, which Nkabane herself has admitted to nullifying due to procedural flaws.
“The process, I personally voluntarily nullified because I could see that there were some challenges that I needed to rectify,” she said, adding that the nominations process was reopened and was currently under review.
Student groups such as the South African Students Congress have called for Nkabane’s removal, citing poor handling of both the NSFAS board and SETA appointments.
Amid these mounting political and public pressures, the opposition parties have escalated their criticism.
The DA rejected her budget vote in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), citing mismanagement and accountability concerns.
“They did not boycott; they debated the budget vote but then rejected it. That’s a disservice to the people of South Africa. If they claim there are gaps in the education system, how do we address them without the budget?” she asked.
With the National Assembly set to debate and vote on the Higher Education and Training budget this Thursday, Nkabane remains defiant.
Asked whether she believes efforts to link her case with that of Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane were politically motivated, Nkabane deferred to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“It is the president’s prerogative to appoint or redeploy ministers. I won’t entertain that,” she said.
Nkabane said she remained focused on her role as minister and would continue to do so, until notified by the president to vacate her office, as was his authority to do so.
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