Higher Education Dept's budget passed amidst fiery exchanges between political parties

CAPE TOWN - The budget of the higher education department that until Monday threatened to derail the national budget has been passed, but not without a fiery exchange of words between political parties.

While the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) warned that it would continue to put pressure on dodgy ministers, Build One South Africa (BOSA) took a jibe at the Democratic Alliance (DA) for what it called political theatre over the DA's earlier refusal to approve the budget if former minister, Nobuhle Nkabane, was not fired. 

But the African National Congress (ANC) hit back, saying the party had nothing to do with her axing on Monday night.

ALSO READ:

• National Assembly passes several dept budgets despite objections from most opposition parties

• BOSA's Maimane wants Ramaphosa to mandate SIU to probe corruption claims within SAPS

• Failure to finalise budget will hurt SA's vulnerable members of society the most - Masondo

Chairperson of Parliament’s higher education committee, Tebogo Letsie, said he welcomed new minister, Buti Manamela, with open arms. 

"Don’t listen to idle threats. The only person who can appoint and remove a minister is the president, not some loudmouth."

The EFF's Sihle Lonzi, however, said that his party would expose any minister who sought to give jobs to comrades.

"If you put your hands in the cookie jar, if you steal from the people of South Africa, you are not going to finish your term as minister."

The DA's deputy chief whip, Baxolile Nodada, said the party's earlier position on this budget vote was one of principle, not for political point scoring. 

"We will never tolerate any form of corruption, or mishandling, or misleading of Parliament."

The budget was passed with 262 votes to 97.