Higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane is set to be grilled by MPs about her botched attempt to appoint politically connected sector education and training authority (Seta) chairpersons.
The meeting was called after MPs raised issue over her selection of prominent ANC members, and mineral and petroleum resources minister Gwede Mantashe’s son.
“This meeting with the minister is of critical importance. It must take place as soon as possible to ensure the committee fully understands the rationale behind the decision to restart the appointment process,” parliament’s higher education and training committee chair Tebogo Letsie said.
EFF MP Sihle Lonzi believes the conversation should be steered towards changing the selection process.
Lonzi said the hiring of board chairpersons should not be made behind closed doors but rather openly in the interest of transparency.
“We want to understand what process was followed when it comes to the Setas. Last year we sent a letter to the minister asking, ‘why do you not use the same way the National Youth Development Agency appoints its board members in higher education’?
Lonzi believes this method will assist in curbing any unethical practices.
“The department has the highest number of boards. This culture of making these appointments private is what entrenched corruption in the tenure of the former minister of higher education, Blade Nzimande,” Lonzi said.
The MK Party’s Mqobi Msezane wants Nkabane to explain why she withdrew the appointments if the processes were followed.
“Why could she not stand her ground and come with evidence, not just retract because there is discomfort and outcry, but you claim you have done everything right,” he said.
Since the withdrawal of the appointments, Nkabane has gazetted a call for nominations to fill 21 Setas’ chairperson positions in terms of section 11(1)(b) of the Skills Development Act, (Act No. 97 of 1998).
Nkabane has also established a new independent panel to process the nominations and recommend candidates.
