Controversy over Seta appointments refuses to die down

HIGHER Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has reserved her comment after severe criticism from President Cyril Ramaphosa and ahead of Parliament's Higher Education Committee hauling her before MPs to account for her decision to withdraw appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (Seta) boards.

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Last week, members of opposition parties sounded the alarm about ANC politicians dominating the list of at least 22 Setas as board chairpersons.

In a stunning move Nkabane appointed senior ANC members such as former KwaZulu-Natal MEC Mike Mabuyakhulu, Johannesburg municipal council member Loyiso Masuku and former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube as Seta chairs.

She also appointed former higher education director-general Gwebs Qonde, the current adviser to Minerals Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and his son, Buyambo Mantashe.

Ramaphosa intervened by calling Nkabane and she then sent letters to all those appointed saying that their appointments had been cancelled and that the process would start afresh.

Nkabane's spokesperson Camagwini Mavova yesterday said the minister would not comment further on the U-turn of the appointment of Seta chairs.