More troubles for Minister Nkabane as more officials including her own deny role in SETA panel

More troubles for Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane as more officials including her own staff are distancing themselves from claims that they were part of a panel tasked with appointing the board chairs of the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Three people, including Nkabane’s chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane, the department’s director of SETA coordination Mabuza Ngubane, and deputy director-general for corporate services Rhulane Ngwenya - have reportedly written to Parliament’s portfolio committee on higher education and training to deny any role in the panel.

The controversy follows reports that the now-reversed process led to the appointment of several ANC-linked cadres as SETA board chairs.

Last month, IOL News reported that Nkabane initially refused to disclose the names of the panel members, but later submitted a list under pressure. 

The list included Advocate Terry Motau, Asisipho Solani, Semane, Ngubane, and Ngwenya.

However, Motau, who Nkabane had previously said chaired the panel, has since denied being involved in the panel.

Semane reportedly said she was involved only with an advisory panel that recommended board members, a separate process from the one selecting board chairs. 

However, she acknowledged that she did not initially distinguish between the two.

While Ngwenya said her role was limited to providing secretarial support to the advisory panel and noted that her interactions with Motau were strictly within that capacity. 

She also distanced herself from any role in the selection of board chairs.

Ngubane reportedly said that although he was appointed as chair of the panel, he did not arrange any meetings or participate in screening candidates for board chair positions.

Reports state that only Asisipho Solani, who is Nkabane’s adviser, confirmed serving on the independent panel. 

He said that the role did not come with additional remuneration.

Some beneficiaries of the controversial SETA boards included the son of Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, Buyambu, former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dr Dube-Ncube, and other high-ranking ANC figures.

IOL News previously reported that the Hawks have confirmed they are investigating criminal charges against Nkabane, following a complaint filed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) last week. 

The DA alleges that Nkabane lied to Parliament and facilitated ANC cadre deployment to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards.

Hawks national spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale told IOL News on Monday afternoon that the case is currently in its early stages.

“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation can confirm that a case has been opened for investigation, which is at an early stage,” Mogale said. 

“Further details cannot be interrogated in the media space.”

The DA's national spokesperson Karabo Khakhau confirmed the Hawks’ probe, saying the party welcomes the serious attention given to the complaint.

“We welcome that the criminal complaint against Nkabane is being seen in a most serious light by the Hawks,” said Khakhau. 

“It is unfathomable that President Ramaphosa remains idle and silent about allegations of egregious ANC corruption and law-breaking in the national executive.”

While Nkabane continues to face mounting pressure, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has dismissed the DA‘s criminal  charges against her as “opportunistic,” saying she acted within her rights in appointing members to SETA boards.

Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday, Mbalula said the DA's move lacked legal grounding and amounted to “performative politics.”

“The minister - did she lie? We say no, she didn’t lie. She went to Parliament and gave the information,” said Mbalula.

He maintained that in terms of the Skills Development Act of 1998, the minister is legally empowered to appoint members, including chairpersons, to the accounting authority of the SETAs.

“The law is very clear on this matter. If others say ministers have not admitted errors or apologised -  that person is a liar,” Mbalula added.