Pretoria – Former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has been found guilty of gross misconduct by Parliament’s Ethics Committee for misleading lawmakers and breaching the Executive Code of Ethics.
The probe, triggered by a complaint from DA MP Karabo Khakhau, found that Nkabane failed to properly oversee the appointment of SETA board chairs and allowed her advisor to manage the recruitment process, leading to irregularities.
MEDIA STATEMENT: ETHICS COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS A REPRIMAND AND APOLOGY FOR FORMER MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION NOBUHLE NKABANE pic.twitter.com/op0GRiQJPQ
— Governance-Cluster (@GovernanceClus1) March 24, 2026
The committee also found she misled Parliament about an advisory structure involved in the appointments, with some individuals she named distancing themselves from the process.
Among the appointments were ANC-linked figures, including the son of ANC chairperson Gwede Mantashe.
Nkabane, who was fired by President Cyril Ramaphosa in July last year, blamed her advisor for the failures.
🔴NEWS JUST IN 🔴 A newly appointed ANC Deputy Chief Whip Nobuhle Nkabane has been found GUILTY by the Parliamentary Ethics Committee of Misconduct. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/RSsESJWUVc
— Special One 🇿🇦 (@Nhleiks5) March 24, 2026
The committee concluded her conduct fell short of executive standards, ordering a formal apology and issuing a reprimand, but stopping short of recommending suspension.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
