Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is facing a parliamentary summons along with her sector education and training authority (SETA) panels, following controversy surrounding her recently revoked SETA board chairperson appointments. Tebogo Letsie, chairperson of the Higher Education Portfolio Committee, announced the move, citing potential legal implications under Section 17 of the Powers, Privileges & Immunities of Parliament & Provincial Legislatures Act. This legislation criminalizes providing false or misleading information to Parliament, carrying a possible prison term of up to 12 months.
The controversy stems from Nkabane’s claim that an “independent panel” approved politically connected individuals for the SETA boards. Letsie stated that, at face value, Nkabane appears to have provided inaccurate information to Parliament on either May 30 or June 17. The committee’s concerns were heightened when it was revealed that the “independent panel” included the minister’s advisers, her chief of staff, and departmental officials, with some names initially concealed. Furthermore, one individual on the list has already denied any involvement with the panel.
The committee has resolved to demand that the minister furnish Parliament with the outstanding names of all panellists and provide correspondence exchanged between her and each panel member, including their acceptance of the role. They are also requiring terms of reference for the panel members’ expected roles, a breakdown of any remuneration received, the number of meetings attended by each member, and the minutes of all selection and evaluation proceedings. The committee is also seeking the report compiled and sent to the National Skills Authority for consultation.
In addition to Minister Nkabane and the panel members, her two deputy ministers, Buti Manamela and Mimmy Gondwe, have also been invited to the meeting. Although the deputy ministers have previously stated they played no role in the SETA board appointments, Letsie emphasized the need for them to formally state this on record before the committee.
The committee is currently consulting with Parliament’s legal advisers and has requested written submissions from the panellists detailing their roles in the appointment process by Wednesday. The date for the meeting to convene has yet to be finalized.