Ramaphosa fires Nkabane as minister of higher education over SETA boards debacle

Nkabane’s axing follows months of controversy over the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) board appointments that saw several African National Congress (ANC)-aligned individuals appointed.

Her sacking also comes a day before she was set to appear before Parliament's higher education committee to explain the SETA board appointment process after failing to appear in the last two committee meetings.

Minister Nobuhle Nkabane on Monday evening issued a statement confirming her removal as higher education minister.

In the statement, she thanked the president for entrusting her with the responsibility to serve as minister of higher education.

She said that it was a privilege to lead such a crucial portfolio and she remained committed to the service of South Africans in the country’s development.

The Democratic Alliance (DA)'s Karabo Khakhau had earlier on Monday called for her removal.

"If she says that the ANC did not work with her, she must be willing to take the blame alone having master engineered this alone, which is highly unlikely. But the bottom line is that President Ramaphosa must fire her."

It is not clear whether the committee will move forward with its meeting on Tuesday where Nkabane was set to appear, alongside other members of the panel who were involved in the initial evaluation and nomination of candidates to be SETA chairpersons.