Higher education minister expected to answer before Parliament committee over SETA appointments retraction

CAPE TOWN - Parliament’s Higher Education Committee is expected to haul Higher Education Minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, before Members of Parliament (MPs) to account for her decision to withdraw appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) boards.

This follows Nkabane’s decision to reset the process for appointing board chairs, citing good governance, transparency and accountability.

Democratic Alliance MP, Karabo Khakhau, first raised concerns about the appointments earlier this week after spotting Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe’s son, Buyambo Mantashe, on the list.

Higher education committee chairperson Tebogo Letsei said that while Nkabane may have meant well, she still owes Parliament an explanation.

“Members then resolved that we agree, but before this meeting ends, you go to the minister and the minister must appear before us next week Wednesday, but the minister must confirm by Monday, which we did.”

Letsie defended the removal of Economic Freedom Fighters’ Sihle Lonzi from a meeting where the member of the red berets also protested the board appointments.

“We were not heavy-handed, even though the rules of Parliament say if the member disrupts a meeting, you warn once, and then you take them out. We did not do so.”

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