An anonymous email regarding the composition of the committee that chose the chairpersons of the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) board was sent to officials, including Anele Kabingesi, the secretary of parliament’s higher education portfolio committee.
The email was sent on Tuesday by a former member of the ANC Youth League, who says she was contacted by Asisipho Solani, the advisor to Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.
Two days ago, President Cyril Ramaphosa asked for an update on Nkabane’s behaviour in parliament and the appointments.
“I was caught in the crosshairs, as I could not betray my comrades. However, when I was pushed to have my name released, I spoke to our family trustee, and she advised that I rebuff the request,” according to the email.
After refusing, she was suspended from her position, having faced numerous threats for distancing herself from the matter.
“I then refused to have my name released and was then threatened that I would lose my job, as my boss was a junior to the minister.
“I am coming out because I am likely to be victimised, and these threats are now mutating into criminal behaviour,” reads the email.
Solani allegedly assured the person that she would be safe and that no state or government agency would hold her accountable for my involvement. Solani then assured her of a reward once the matter calmed down.
Apology to advocate Terry Motau
But she was hesitant to accept the offer, even after Solani confessed he would also be involved in the cover-up.
“I remembered comrade [former deputy finance minister Mcebisi] Jonas when the Guptas tried to bribe him.
“I literally cringed when Mr Solani said he had himself taken a huge gamble and that we were going to be protected.
“Apparently, he had also arranged meetings with some lawyer who was supposed to be the chairperson of our panel. I never met with any panel member,” the letter reads further.
The letter comes just a day after Nkabane issued a statement confirming that advocate Terry Motau was not officially employed to chair the Seta appointment panel.
Nkabane also said that she apologised to Motau for misrepresenting him.
Motau had been listed as the chair of the Seta panel alongside Nelisiwe Semane, Mabuza Ngubane, and Rhulani Ngwenya.
Ngubane is the chief director for Seta coordination, Ngwenya is the department’s deputy director-general of corporate services, Semane is the chief of staff in Solani’s office, and Solani was once an ANC youth leader.
Details around appointments sought
The minister released these names last week in response to pressure from the higher education portfolio committee.
Nkabane was unable to meet her initial deadline, June 11, to release the names of panellists because she was seeking a legal opinion about the matter.
The legal opinion explained that she was within her rights to release the names, but Nkabane was concerned about the backlash that could affect the members of the panel.
She then wrote to each of the members of the selection and evaluation panel and advised them of her intention to comply and asked the portfolio committee that her deadline be extended.
Now the portfolio committee is questioning whether the panel is independent and has requested that Nkabane appear before parliament to further explain herself.
Members of the committee are also requesting details about the appointments, including the minutes of the meetings held by the panellists.
