Parliament, Friday, 18 July 2025 – The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Minister of Higher Education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, for her absenteeism in the meeting dealing with advisory panel members and their role in the appointments of the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) chairpersons.
The committee had written letters to the advisory panel members whose names were submitted to the committee by the Minister of Higher Education to understand the roles they played in the constitution of the advisory panel for the selection of SETA accounting authority chairpersons. The committee expressed its disappointment that some of the invited panel members tendered apologies, while others ignored the request to explain their roles in the panel.
The Deputy Ministers of Higher Education, Dr Mimmy Gondwe and Mr Buti Manamela, have denied playing any role in the appointment of SETA chairpersons. The deputy ministers said that the Minister could not legally delegate this responsibility to them as deputy ministers and it was handled exclusively from the Minister’s office.
Advocate Terry Motau SC, who was to have been appointed as the Chairperson of the selection panel, admitted that he received a letter from the Minister followed by engagements with staff in the ministry, but nothing further came of the follow-up engagements. Advocate Motau informed the committee that he did not participate in the process.
Meanwhile, Mr Mabuza Ngubane, who is the Chief Director for SETA coordination at the Department of Higher Education, also distanced himself from the process in so far as attending or setting up meetings or screening any candidates.
Due to the unavailability of the Minister and other panel members, the committee will apply for a meeting on Tuesday, 22 July 2025. The committee also resolved to subpoena Mr Asisipho Solani, DG Nkosinathi Sishi and Ms Rhulani Ngwenya and Chief of Staff in the office of the Minister, Ms Nelisiwe Semane, to appear in the next committee meeting.
Committee Chairperson Mr Tebogo Letsie condemned any possible victimisation of individuals who expose irregularities within the sector. “We must protect those who speak out against wrongdoing. If whistleblowers are targeted for their courage, we will fight that injustice with everything we have. This includes reviewing the Skills Development Act and the Higher Education Act. While we are committed to giving the Minister a fair opportunity to respond, we hope next week's engagement will be constructive and transparent,” said Mr Letsie.
Furthermore, the committee recommended that advisory panel members who were not available for this meeting will be summoned to the next one.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION, MR TEBOGO LETSIE.
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