Minister under fire over SETA posts

Called to account before Higher Education committee

- GCWALISILE KHANYILE [e-mail]

HIGHER Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane remains under fire despite making a U-turn on controversial appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) boards.

The minister's office said she reserved her comment for now after severe criticism from President Cyril Ramaphosa and ahead of Parliament's Higher Education Committee hauling her before MPs to account for her decision on the appointments.

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

Nkabane had 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 Mantashe’s son Buyambo Mantashe.

Ramaphosa reportedly 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.

Yesterday Nkabane's spokesperson Camagwini Mavova, said the minister would not comment further on the matter.