Ramaphosa pulls the plug on Nkabane's China travel plans

President Cyril Ramaphosa instructed higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane not to leave the country, effectively excluding her from a trip to China.

- By Queenin Masuabi and Mawande AmaShabalala

As controversy grows over her decision to appoint ANC-aligned individuals as chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas), Nkabane was meant to leave for China on Friday.

Sunday World understands that Ramaphosa sent Nkabane “a stern instruction not to leave the country”.

She recieved the news while already at the OR Tambo private lounge beaming with excitement to visit the communist country.

Nkabane was supposed to be part of the political delegation, led by deputy president Paul Mashatile, due to follow a team of officials already in China.

Instead Nkabane’s director-general Nkosinathi Sishi will represent the department.

Nkabane sidestepped the question about the grounding but confirmed her department will be represented by the DG.

“DG is in China to support DP (Mashatile),” she said.