Nkabane Under heavy Scrutiny: Why the SETA Appointment Drama Could Trigger Parliamentary Action

CAPE TOWN – Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is facing a deep investigation following Advocate Terry Motau SC publicly saying he was never part of the panel tasked with selecting chairpersons for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) — despite being named as its chairperson in an official letter to Parliament.

The controversy, which has sparked outrage in the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, may result in formal parliamentary action, with accusations that the minister misled Parliament and misrepresented the independence of the panel.

In a startling revelation, Motau clarified that although Minister Nkabane may have had intentions to appoint him, he was never briefed, never attended any meetings, and had already informed the minister that he would not participate.

“When the minister wrote to the portfolio committee and said that I was the chairperson, she knew the facts — that I wasn’t,” said Motau.

He added that he learned of his alleged appointment through media reports, further stating that he had not been contacted by her office before the public announcement.

According to Motau, he formally informed the minister’s office of his unavailability before she submitted the letter to Parliament.

Despite this, Nkabane named him in official documentation, raising serious questions about transparency, process, and integrity within the department’s operations.

“Nobody tried to call me. I said to the minister, ‘We can convene a meeting and clarify that,’” Motau recalled.

Members of the Portfolio Committee are reportedly considering disciplinary action against Minister Nkabane for what is seen as an attempt to mislead lawmakers.

This latest incident casts a shadow over the already controversial SETA board appointment process, which has faced criticism for political interference, with multiple ANC-aligned individuals said to have been appointed.

Committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie previously stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in such appointments, given that SETAs are public institutions funded through parliamentary appropriations.

“We’re dealing with public funds and public appointments. Misleading the committee undermines democratic oversight,” a committee source noted.

The fallout from this incident could result in:

• A formal investigation or inquiry by the portfolio committee.
• Pressure on the president’s office to review the minister’s conduct.
• Heightened public and parliamentary scrutiny of all SETA-related appointments and processes.

Though Advocate Motau stated he has no intention of pursuing legal action, his public clarification may have already triggered a chain reaction within Parliament.

Setas are key institutions responsible for skills development across sectors in South Africa. The boards that govern them hold substantial authority over funding, strategy, and training partnerships.

Concerns over the independence of the panel that selects these board members could threaten public trust in the system and raise questions about political patronage in key appointments.

The incident places Minister Nkabane in a politically vulnerable position, as Parliament weighs how to respond to what some are calling a clear breach of trust. Whether intentional or not, naming an unwilling individual as panel chair raises serious concerns about credibility.

As the committee moves to clarify the facts and determine the next course of action, one thing is clear: this controversy may have just opened a deeper investigation into governance failures within the Department of Higher Education and Training.