Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane is under growing pressure and could face legal consequences after Advocate Terry Motau, whom she named as chair of an independent SETA board advisory panel, stated that he never accepted or agreed to the position.

In a leaked letter making rounds on social media platforms, Motau said he was not aware that he had been named chair of the panel responsible for selecting board members for Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), until learning through news reports.

“I did not assist you or your office in reviewing and assessing the nominations received for the appointment of Accounting Authorities per Sector Education and Training Authorities,” Motau wrote. 

“I did not participate in this process.”

He added that he had not received or reviewed any documentation, had not met with any panel members, and had not submitted any reports or recommendations.

“You would also know that the upshot of all of this is that you intended to appoint me to chair the committee, which intention never materialised,” he said.

The revelation has intensified calls in Parliament for a criminal investigation, with Nkabane being accused of misleading Parliament and manipulating the board appointment process to benefit politically connected individuals.

Nkabane had initially refused to disclose the names of the five-member panel tasked with the selection of SETA board chairpersons. 

Under pressure, IOL News previously reported that she later submitted the names, which include:

– Advocate Terry Motau (who has denied serving as chair)

– Asisipho Solani

– Nelisiwe Semane

– Mabuza Ngubane

– Rhulani Ngwenya

Democratic Alliance MP Karabo Khakhau has reported Nkabane to Parliament’s Ethics Committee, alleging that the minister misled the legislature.

“Affidavit signed and commissioned. Nkabane must go and appear before the Ethics Committee for lying to Parliament and, by extension, the people of South Africa,” Khakhau wrote in a post on X.

African National Congress (ANC) MP David Kgabo echoed concerns, claiming the so-called independent panel functioned more like an extension of the director-general’s office, calling the integrity of the process into question.

Meanwhile, portfolio committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie confirmed that Parliament would consider legal action under the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliaments and Provincial Legislatures Act.

“We will not be complicit in attempts to undermine parliamentary oversight,” Letsie said. 

He also confirmed receipt of a letter listing the panel members, including Motau, who has since distanced himself from the process.

The scandal follows backlash in May after Nkabane recommended a number of politically connected individuals to SETA boards. 

Among them were Buyambo Mantashe, son of Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe, former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube, KZN Transport head Siboniso Mbhele, and ANC Johannesburg deputy regional secretary Loyiso Masuku.

Despite multiple requests from lawmakers, Nkabane initially refused to reveal who was responsible for selecting the board members, further fueling concerns over political patronage and lack of transparency.

Although the selection process has since been scrapped, MPs say the damage to institutional trust demands consequences.

The controversy regarding SETA appointments has reignited debate over transparency, political interference, and the accountability of government ministers, placing Nkabane and the credibility of South Africa’s public institutions under intense scrutiny.

In response, Nkabane’s office previously said she remains ready to account to the committee and respond to any further requests for information

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics

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