Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has issued a formal apology to Advocate Terry Motau after wrongly naming him as chair of an “independent panel” that allegedly helped appoint ANC linked board members to Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

The apology comes after growing pressure on Nkabane and calls in Parliament for a criminal investigation, following reports that the selection process was manipulated to benefit politically connected individuals.

IOL News previously reported that Motau was shocked to learn through media reports that he had been named chair of the five-member panel tasked with reviewing nominations for SETA boards. 

In a leaked letter circulating on social media, Motau firmly denied any involvement.

“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,” he wrote. 

“I did not participate in this process.”

Motau further said that he had not met with any panel members, reviewed any documents, or 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.

In a statement issued on Monday, Nkabane acknowledged the error and apologised to Motau, saying that her office had written to him on June 23 seeking a “shared understanding” and expressing regret for the confusion caused.

“The minister conveyed her sincere apology to Advocate Motau for any inconvenience, reputational discomfort, or misunderstanding that may have arisen,” her department said. 

“This outreach was undertaken in the spirit of transparency, mutual respect, and professional courtesy.”

Nkabane said there was no intention to misrepresent Motau’s role or damage his professional standing. 

She added that the misunderstanding had been resolved and that both parties now share a mutual understanding of the situation.

Nkabane also admitted that she had not been fully aware that formal legal engagement was necessary to finalise Motau’s role, describing this as a “gap in communication” that contributed to the oversight.

Nkabane has committed to briefing the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education about the matter and outlining the steps taken to clarify Motau’s non-involvement.

“She remains accountable to Parliament and is committed to ensuring full transparency and procedural compliance going forward,” the statement read.

The controversy has intensified calls from opposition parties for an investigation into Nkabane’s conduct. 

Critics accuse her of misleading Parliament and manipulating the appointment process for political gain.

Initially, Nkabane refused to disclose the names of the panel members involved in selecting SETA board chairpersons. Under pressure, her department eventually released the list, which included:

• Advocate Terry Motau SC (who has denied participating)
• Asisipho Solani
• Nelisiwe Semane
• Mabuza Ngubane
• Rhulani Ngwenya

The scandal follows public backlash in May after Nkabane recommended several politically connected individuals to SETA boards. 

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

Nkabane’s initial refusal to identify who selected the board members raised additional concerns over transparency and political patronage.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL Politics 

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