Buti Manamela seeks PSC’s help to vet SETA administrators amid public outrage

HIGHER Education Minister Buti Manamela has sought the services of the Public Service Commission (PSC) to vet the three administrators of the Sector and Education Training Authorities (SETAS) he appointed.

- BONGANI HANS and MAYIBONGWE MAQHINA

This comes amid pressure on Manamela to not only explain the appointment of administrators, but to reconsider and withdraw them.

According to Manamela, he has requested that the PSC conduct fit-and-proper assessments and conflict of interest vetting on Lehlogonolo Masoga, the former deputy speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, who was appointed administrator of Services SETA, Oupa Nkoane CETA, and Zukile Mvalo Local Government SETA.

“The PSC will provide its report and recommendations to the minister, who will act on them without fear or favour,’ he said. Manamela defended the appointments amid public outrage.

He said the process entailed “due diligence” that “carefully considered” the allegations and past controversies raised in public, and allowed each candidate to respond to the matters before the appointments were made.

“The appointments were confirmed only after the department was satisfied that the appointees could carry out the mandate of stabilising the SETAs,” Manamela said.