DA says its criminal complaint against Minister Nkabane being investigated by Hawks

CAPE TOWN - The Democratic Alliance (DA) said it was informed that the criminal complaint it laid against the Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane last week was being investigated by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, more commonly known as the Hawks.

In terms of the DA’s complaint, Nkabane is being accused of fraud and lying to Parliament under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament Act.

Nkabane is due to face Parliament again this week over discrepancies in her explanations to the house about appointments made to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) and the independent panel she appointed to vet the candidates.

READ: Debacle involving Nkabane, SETA boards an attempt to deceive Parly, public - DA

DA spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, said that her party was pleased that the police were taking the matter seriously. 

"The DA is looking forward to ongoing cooperation with the Hawks, but we hope first to make sure there’s criminal prosecution for the minister for what she did to the people of South Africa, lying to Parliament and, by extension, the people of South Africa, is not something the DA takes very lightly. 

The DA took the step against Nkabane after its member, Andrew Whitfield, was fired as a Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, for travelling abroad without the president’s permission, and after the president ignored the DA’s ultimatum to act against compromised African National Congress (ANC) ministers too. 

"While President Cyril Ramaphosa continues to take zero action against this minister for corruption, the DA continues to make progress in our fight against it. And the DA won’t relent."