Manamela, committee continue to clash over appointment of SETA administrators

The portfolio committee on higher education continues to clash with Minister Buti Manamela over his appointment of administrators to oversee three sector education and training authorities (SETAs).

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has also written to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to intervene and "guide" Manamela on the appointments that have been rejected by most members because some are implicated in alleged wrongdoing.

Manamela appointed the administrators to turn around the services SETA, local government SETA and the construction SETA in August.

Minister Manamela appeared before the committee on Friday to explain his decision to put SETAs under administration.

While Manamela stood by his decision, the committee remains concerned about the recruitment of the administrators and what it calls contradictions on the release of a forensic report into the affairs of the SETAs.

Manamela said the administrators were identified through headhunting of suitably qualified and experienced candidates.

But committee member Karabo Khakhau has writtenan open letter to the commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Professor Somadoda Fikeni, calling on him to intervene.

"Requesting that he guides Minister Manamela’s compliance with the values and principles of chapter 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa as a matter of urgency and declare the appointments of Oupa Nkoane, Lehlogonolo Masoga and Zukile Mvalo to be inconsistent with the codes and requirements of the public service."

The committee said that Manamela must strengthen the department to avoid yet another problem on the SETAs and their continued mismanagement.

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