Parliament confirms no independent panel for SETA appointments amid Nkabane fallout

Nobuhle Nkabane

Cape Town – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has confirmed that no formal independent panel was involved in appointing  Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairpersons, contradicting claims made by former Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.

This revelation comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa dismissed Nkabane and appointed Buti Manamela as the new Higher Education Minister, with Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube as his deputy.

Parliamentary hearings revealed that individuals named as panel members, including Nkabane’s chief of staff and adviser, denied participating in any formal process.

Advocate Terry Motau, allegedly the panel chair, also denied involvement.

Testimonies from all alleged panelists confirmed no meetings were held, and no minutes or formal procedures existed.

Committee Chairperson Tebogo Letsie concluded that the panel never existed.

“It’s clear the intention was there, but this process was never formalised.

“The minister had every right under Section 111A of the Skills Development Act to make appointments. She could have simply said she was taking responsibility and restarting the process,” Letsie said.

The committee is preparing a preliminary report and may summon Nkabane to respond, especially amid concerns about the appointment of individuals linked to the ANC.

MPs from the DA, IFP, and PA have called for further accountability and transparency in the appointment process.

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