The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has called Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane to account for recent board appointments linked to the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA), amid allegations of political favouritism and nepotism.
The move follows a leaked list of new board members, reported by on Tuesday, which revealed the inclusion of individuals with ties to the ruling ANC. Among them is Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, a detail that has fuelled public and political backlash.
In response to mounting pressure, the committee convened an urgent hearing on Wednesday to address the controversy. Lawmakers are demanding clarity on the selection process and whether due diligence was followed in the appointments.
Nkabane approved the selections, but the DA and EFF criticised them, citing possible nepotism, cadre deployment, and the politicisation of important organisations in charge of skills development.
This led to the EFF MP Sihle Lonzi being forcibly removed from the committee meeting after questioning the appointment of Mantashe.
EFF MP Mzwanele Lonzi clashed with parliamentary committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie during a meeting over the appointment of chairpersons to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).
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Security personnel’s removing Commissar @SihleLonzi from a committee because the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education is protecting corruption.
The son of Gwade Mantashe, the ANC Chairperson, has been allegedly appointed as one of the… pic.twitter.com/v4LJoadvWp
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) May 14, 2025
In a heated exchange, Lonzi insisted on using his allotted 15 minutes to question the Department of Higher Education and Training on recent board appointments. Chairperson Letsie attempted to steer the discussion elsewhere, but Lonzi remained adamant.
“Director-General, have you made appointments to the board chairpersons of SETAs?” Lonzi asked pointedly, repeatedly emphasising his right to a direct response from Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi.
The Democratic Alliance’s national spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau, criticised the appointments, describing them as blatant acts of political patronage and raising alarms about the increasing politicisation of public institutions.
In a formal response, Khakhau has written to the chairperson of the committee, requesting that Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela and Deputy Minister Nobuhle Nkabane be urgently summoned to provide a detailed explanation.
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