Nobuhle Nkabane skips Parliament over SETA scandal — What happens next?

Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane is under fire for snubbing a crucial Parliamentary committee meeting on Friday, where she was expected to account for the chaotic and allegedly irregular appointment of board members to the Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). Her absence has escalated tensions around the growing scandal and drawn sharp criticism from MPs and civil society groups demanding transparency and accountability.

Nobuhle Nkabane Fails to Appear Before Parliament

Nkabane’s failure to appear before the Higher Education Portfolio Committee has been widely condemned as an act of political defiance, particularly given the gravity of the situation. The meeting, scheduled to investigate allegations of unlawful appointments to the SETA board, went ahead without her, even as key officials from the Department of Higher Education attempted to distance themselves from the debacle.

Parliament had expected Nobuhle Nkabane to clarify her alleged role in the appointment of several new SETA board members, a process now mired in allegations of political interference and governance breaches.

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP Chantel King accused Nobuhle Nkabane of dodging accountability, saying her no-show “undermines Parliament’s oversight role and erodes public trust.”

SETA Appointments Trigger Political Fallout

The controversy began when new board members were appointed to SETA under circumstances now being questioned for failing to follow proper procedures. Whistleblowers and opposition MPs allege that the appointments were not only irregular but politically motivated, with Nobuhle Nkabane allegedly playing a central role in pushing through the names without due diligence or legal backing.

The Department of Higher Education has denied any institutional wrongdoing, stating that the appointments were made at ministerial discretion. However, several department officials told the committee on Friday that they had not been involved in the selection or vetting process, placing the spotlight squarely on the political leadership.

Officials Distance Themselves as Scandal Deepens

During the committee session, senior officials distanced themselves from the appointments, with many claiming they were unaware of the final board list until it was made public. The Director-General, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, indicated that the administrative arm of the department had not signed off on the names and reiterated that the appointments had bypassed internal vetting processes.

“This matter is of political origin,” one official stated bluntly during the session, hinting at possible interference from outside the normal channels of governance.

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Calls Grow for Accountability and Suspension

As pressure mounts, there are growing calls from across the political spectrum for Nobuhle Nkabane to be held accountable. Civil society organizations, including Corruption Watch, have urged President Donald Trump’s South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to initiate a formal inquiry and suspend Nkabane pending a full investigation.

“This is not just an HR issue, it’s about the integrity of public institutions tasked with skills development,” said a spokesperson from the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). “If political figures can manipulate appointments, it sets a dangerous precedent.”

Parliamentary Committee to Summon Nkabane

In response to her absence, the portfolio committee announced plans to formally summon Nkabane to appear at the next scheduled meeting. According to committee chairperson Nompendulo Mkhatshwa, this is not an option but a constitutional obligation: “She owes South Africans an explanation. We will not allow executive arrogance to derail our oversight mandate.”

The committee will also be seeking legal advice on whether any laws were broken in the SETA board appointment process and whether these appointments can be reversed or suspended.

What’s at Stake for SETA and Skills Development?

The Services SETA is a critical public body responsible for managing skills development funding and training initiatives across sectors. Irregular appointments at the board level risk undermining its credibility, delaying funding allocations, and destabilizing one of the key drivers of youth employment in South Africa.

With billions of rands in annual allocations, SETAs are already under intense scrutiny for inefficiency and mismanagement. Any further scandal could derail efforts to reform the sector and rebuild public confidence.

Nobuhle Nkabane Silent as Political Pressure Builds

As of Friday evening, Nkabane had not issued a public statement or explained her absence. Her silence has only added fuel to the fire, with critics warning that failure to address the allegations will reflect poorly on the Department and Cabinet as a whole.

The story is developing, and all eyes are now on Parliament’s next move as South Africa’s skills development agenda hangs in the balance.