Parliament, Tuesday, 24 March 2026 – The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interests has resolved that the National Assembly should reprimand the former Minister of Higher Education and Training, Ms Nobuhle Nkabane, MP, for failing to exercise due care in the process of appointing the SETA Board Chairpersons. Ms Nkabane will also be required to enter an apology in the House.
The Registrar of Members’ Interests received a complaint from Democratic Alliance MP Ms Karabo Khakau, who serves on the Portfolio Committee of Higher Education and Training. The Joint Committee then extended the scope of the investigation beyond the initial matters raised by Ms Khakau. This investigation revealed that the former Minister had left the recruitment and selection panel for the appointment to her advisor, Mr Asisipho Solani, and did not follow up with him on whether the panel was appointed. Ms Nkabane blamed Mr Solani for the entire debacle but accepted the Joint Committee’s finding that she breached the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests.
The Joint Committee found that Ms Nkabane breached item 5(1)(c) and (e) of the code. In considering the penalty, the Joint Committee considered in mitigation the fact that the President of the Republic of South Africa had already dismissed Ms Nkabane from her Cabinet position.
The Joint Committee remains steadfast in its quest to ensure accountability of all Members of Parliament, as demanded by the code.
The full Committee Report will be published on the Announcements, Tablings and Committee Reports (ATC).
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CO-CHAIRPERSONS OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND MEMBERS’ INTERESTS, MS LUSIZO MAKHUBELA AND MR HENNI BRITZ
For media enquiries or interviews with the Co-Chairpersons, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Malatswa Molepo (Mr)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8438
Cell: 081 512 7920
E-mail: mmolepo@parliament.gov.za
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