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Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Advocate Terry Motau slams minister over claims he chaired controversial Seta appointments panel
'She knows I was not part of this thing. I don't know how she goes on and says I was appointed as a chair and did not attend meetings,' says Motau after Minister Nobuhle Nkabane named him as the chairperson of the independent panel that oversaw controversial Seta board appointments. Renowned legal heavyweight advocate Terry Motau has firmly rejected claims by Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane that he chaired an independent panel tasked with recommending chairpersons for South Africa's Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). This comes just days after Nkabane, under intense pressure, finally released the long-delayed names of the panel on 17 June 2025 – a panel allegedly responsible for appointing 21 Seta board chairpersons. Among the listed names was Motau as chair. 'She knows I was not part of this thing. I don't know how she goes on and says I was appointed as a chair and did not attend meetings,' said Motau, who insists he was never officially appointed or involved in the final selection process. The appointments made by the panel included ANC politicians Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC KZN deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. All of these were withdrawn later, after MPs on the Higher Education Committee called it 'corruption' and following a public outcry. When Daily Maverick spoke to Motau, he laid out a different version of events. According to him, Nkabane first contacted him on 18 March 2025, requesting that he chair the panel. He attended a preliminary meeting with the minister's adviser, Asisipho Solani, former Central Energy Fund chair Luvo Makasi and deputy director-general Rhulani Ngwenya to discuss the intended process. A second meeting, scheduled to take place at Motau's chambers with Solani and Ngwenya, was never held. Instead, Motau says he only learnt about the final appointments through media reports, with no further engagement or briefing from the minister's office. 'My appointment was not formalised by an attorney. She called me and said my people tried to get a hold of you but it appeared that you were out of the country. I said nobody tried to contact me… because it is clear that you are not fed the correct information. I am a practising advocate, so without an appointment by an attorney, I can't do it without being instructed by an attorney,' Motau said. Motau said he wrote to Nkabane on 16 June 2025, a day before she published the panel names. 'When I see these names now, it is clear why they did not contact me. My impression is that she decided to go with an internal process, and maybe she didn't come to me and say, 'I no longer intend to go the independent route'.' The panel list released by the minister named Motau as chair, alongside four officials from her department: her adviser Solani, Ngwenya, chief director for Seta coordination Mabuza Ngubane and chief of staff Nelisiwe Semane. Minister 'misled' portfolio committee The committee, which has been questioning Nkabane about the appointments and the panel, released a statement yesterday (Wednesday). 'The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has expressed concern that it was misled about the composition of the panel responsible for recommending appointments to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). 'Committee members feel misled by previous representations made regarding the independence of the panel and the integrity of the appointment process. In particular, the Committee finds the redaction or censoring of some panel member names highly irregular and unacceptable,' it said. The committee said it would summon the minister, along with the panel, to account to the committee and the public about the matter. No date has been issued yet. DA files supplementary ethics complaint against Nkabane The DA has filed a supplementary ethics complaint against Nkabane after it learnt that Motau wrote to Nkabane claiming he had nothing to do with the process. This complaint is an addition to the ethics complaint submitted yesterday. 'The standing complaint is about the minister misleading Parliament when she stated that the panel consisted of independent people and subsequently informed Parliament that they were not independent at all. However, now in light of the new information that an alleged member of the panel denies participating, one can only wonder if a panel did ever exist or whether the minister simply provided a list of names to Parliament of persons she believed would cover for her,' the DA's Karabo Khakhau said. The DA says it will also escalate the matter to the Public Protector for misleading and allegedly lying to Parliament in violation of her binding ethics code as a minister. Asked by Daily Maverick what would happen since he is named in the panel, Motau said: 'I don't have anything, I'm not being briefed, and there's nothing to talk about. If she wants me to do something, I'll do it. If she doesn't, she doesn't. But for me, truth and integrity come first.' DM
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Nkabane reveals names of panellists who oversaw controversial Seta board appointments
After weeks of mounting pressure, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has released the list of panellists who assisted her with the appointments of 21 Seta board chairpersons — several of whom are linked to ANC politicians. Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane initially refused to disclose the names of the independent panel responsible for appointing the chairpersons of 21 Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. Among the board chairpersons were people connected to the ANC, including Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC KZN provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. All these appointments were withdrawn by Nkabane after a public outcry. Nkabane revealed the names after requests from frustrated members of the parliamentary committee on higher education. Independent panel The long-awaited names of the independent panel established by the Nkabane include advocate Terry Motau SC, who conducted investigative work into the collapse of VBS Mutual Bank, where he was commissioned by the South African Reserve Bank to lead a forensic probe. His findings — summarised in the 2018 report, The Great Bank Heist — detail how about R1.8-billion was misappropriated, implicating more than 50 individuals in high-level fraud. Motau has also contributed to the Investigating Directorate under the National Prosecuting Authority and to the Zondo commission as an investigator. Motau did not attend any of the panel's meetings. Another member is Asisipho Solani, who is an adviser to Nkabane and usually accompanies the minister to oversight and committee meetings. Solani was a South African Students Congress leader at the University of the Western Cape and is a lecturer at the University of South Africa. Also part of the panel is Nelisiwe Semane, who has been chief of staff in Nkabane's office since September 2024, according to her LinkedIn profile. The other two members are deputy director-general for corporate services in the Department of Higher Education and Training Rhulani Ngwenya and chief director for Seta coordination Mabuza Ngubane. During a parliamentary committee meeting early this month, Ngwenya was part of Nkabane's team that came under the scrutiny of MP Sihle Lonzi. These were the five members who were responsible for assisting Nkabane in making decisions on the Seta boards' chairpersons. During a parliamentary committee meeting, it was revealed that there had been no vetting to ensure that these panel members were suitable. Missed deadline Nkabane was given until 12 June 2025 to submit the names to the committee, but she missed the deadline due to her concerns over the panellists' rights to privacy. Although she asked for an extension until 30 June, she has now submitted the names. Higher Education spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana told Daily Maverick that Nkabane 'is determined to ensure that Sector Education and Training Authorities and all institutions under the Department of Higher Education and Training deliver tangible outcomes, empowering young people and addressing unemployment.' The Seta board appointments caused chaos at the parliamentary committee meeting on 14 May and 2 June 2025, leading to the eviction of the EFF's Sihle Lonzi after he questioned Department of Higher Education and Training Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, and called the Seta board appointments 'corrupt'. Chairperson of the committee Tebogo Letsie told Daily Maverick, 'We're very happy, as the committee, that she has furnished us with the names. We had not yet discussed whether we were going to agree to give her the extension to 30 June.' Despite Nkabane submitting the names, the Democratic Alliance's Karabo Khakhau will refer Nkabane to the ethics committee for misleading the committee, because she had said that all the panellists were independent. The committee will meet tomorrow to discuss whether to call the minister to appear before it. A statement released by the the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday stated that 'After reviewing the letter submitted by the Minister of Higher Education, the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education has expressed concern that it was misled about the composition of the panel responsible for recommending appointments to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). Members of the Committee said the information provided through the letter does not reflect the independence initially claimed and that its raises serious questions about the transparency and integrity of the appointment process.' The statement went on to say that 'Committee members feel misled by previous representations made regarding the independence of the panel and the integrity of the appointment process. In particular, the Committee finds the redaction or censoring of some panel member names highly irregular and unacceptable. Furthermore, the committee is alarmed by the revelation in the Minister's letter that the purported Chairperson of the panel did not attend any of its meetings raising further questions about who chaired the panel meetings and oversaw the selection of candidates for SETA boards.' DM
Daily Maverick
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
Minister Nkabane fails to submit names of panel that oversaw controversial Seta board appointments
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane has missed a deadline to reveal the names of an independent panel that endorsed the appointments of politically connected Seta board chairpersons. Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane was asked to submit the names of the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) Board Chairpersons Selection and Evaluation Panel to the parliamentary committee on higher education on 11 June 2025. The five-member panel was responsible for the selection process in the appointment of 21 chairpersons for Seta boards in May. The committee requested the names of the panel after it was discovered that ANC politicians had been selected, including Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, who has been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta. Also named are former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC KZN provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. In a letter seen by Daily Maverick, written by Nkabane to the chairperson of the parliamentary committee Tebogo Letsie, Nkabane has requested an extension of the deadline to 30 June 2025. According to Nkabane, she was concerned over whether the disclosure of the names and details would violate the panellists' rights to privacy. However, she has now recognised that she is legally permitted to disclose the panellists' details. 'I remain concerned that the disclosure may invite unwarranted or unwanted public vitriol against the panel members, as I have experienced… I have written to each of the members of the selection and evaluation panel and advised them of my intention to comply with the portfolio committee's request,' said Nkabane. Nkabane's response comes after members of the committee and the public raised concerns over the non-disclosure of the selection panellists' names. The Seta board appointments caused chaos at the committee meeting on 14 May and on 2 June 2025, even leading to the eviction of the EFF's Sihle Lonzi after he questioned Higher Education Department Director-General Dr Nkosinathi Sishi. Lonzi called the Seta board appointments 'corrupt'. Nkabane had previously said the reversal was solely due to public reaction and that the appointing process had been flawless. 'We saw what was trending on social media… I took it upon myself as a responsible citizen to say, 'Listen, I could pick [up] that among the issues were the recommended candidates to serve as chairs; they are viewed as more politically associated with some of the politicians within the movement, and I decided I must take the concerns of the public,' said Nkabane. 'Time's up' – deadline extension frustrates MPs Members of the parliamentary committee voiced their frustrations about the minister's request for a deadline extension. Karabo Khakhau (DA) said this was completely unacceptable. 'Minister Nkabane needs no permission to furnish the committee with those names if they exist. Secondly, the minister has had more than enough time to receive permission from the panel to reveal their names. The minister's time is now up. There is no more room to manoeuvre. The committee has exhausted its generosity. Minister Nkabane cannot run away from being held accountable for her attempted politicisation of the appointment of the Seta board chairpersons. The chickens are coming home to roost,' said Khakhau. Higher education committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie also expressed disappointment at Nkabane's extension request. 'We … felt we had given her enough time to comply. The committee will meet on Wednesday, 18 June, to pave the way forward on what to do,' said Letsie. Ramaphosa seeks answers Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa requested that Nkabane report to him on the matter. Nkabane drew public ire after videos of her at the meeting chewing gum and being dismissive of MPs' questioning went viral. After the meeting, the minister took to X to explain herself. 'Claims that I was rude or disrespectful are false and based on misleading clips taken out of context. I did not disrupt the process,' she wrote.
IOL News
07-06-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Shamila Batohi faces pressure to clarify NPA interference claims
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi is under fire following a string of recent high-profile failures by the National Prosecuting Authority. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Outgoing National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Shamila Batohi is facing mounting pressure to provide details of her claims that there is political interference in the work of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). In an interview this week, Batohi had said: 'The NPA has been infiltrated by people who do not have the rule of law at heart. 'We are having internal challenges; some prosecutors may not be aligned with the vision of really fighting for the rule of law in this country.' Calls for Batohi to be summoned to Parliament to provide explanations follow a difficult period for the NPA during which the authority has bungled a number of high-profile cases. The latest was the Free State High Court declaring the extradition of former Free State premier and ex-ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule's personal assistant, Moroadi Cholota, from the US unlawful as it did not have a valid and lawful request by the Justice Ministry. As a result of Judge Phillip Loubser's ruling, Cholota cannot face trial in the controversial R255 million tender to audit and replace asbestos roofs in the province alongside her former boss and several other individuals and companies. The NPA plans to appeal against the judgment. Another recent prominent case that intensified pressure on Batohi, who is reportedly due to retire when she turns 65 in January, was the acquittal of Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso of multiple charges of rape, human trafficking, and racketeering in April. On Friday, the EFF wrote to National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and Xola Nqola, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, demanding an urgent parliamentary debate on Batohi's allegations of infiltration in the NPA. Additionally, the EFF wants the portfolio committee to schedule an urgent meeting and was not calling for punitive or reactionary action. 'This is not a casual institutional complaint. It is a constitutional red flag of the highest order. An assertion from the NDPP herself that the NPA has been infiltrated should send shockwaves throughout every organ of state,' the party said. The EFF warned that the assertions have direct consequences for the rule of law, the integrity of South Africa's criminal justice system, the fight against corruption and gender-based violence, and public trust in the country's democracy. The urgent meeting should be held on Tuesday, June 10, and also requested Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi to be invited to attend, provide policy-level responses and inform the committee of the department's position and possible interventions on the matter, according to the EFF. It requested Didiza to exercise her authority under the National Assembly's rules to approve an urgent debate on 'the implications of the NDPP's public statement regarding infiltration of the NPA and the threat it poses to South Africa's justice system, rule of law, and constitutional democracy'. ActionSA parliamentary leader Athol Trollip said the party was alarmed and called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Batohi immediately. He said the NPA has failed to prosecute Ramaphosa for not declaring foreign currency stolen at his Phala Phala farm in 2020, which was later stolen, fugitive self-proclaimed Malawian prophet Shepherd Bushiri, and secure the extradition of the fugitive Gupta brothers, among others. 'The NPA has become a refuge for politically connected individuals, a place where accountability is avoided, justice is delayed, and prosecutions collapse with shocking regularity. Under Batohi's leadership, the NPA reels from one scandal to the next,' added Trollip. ActionSA will write to Kubayi demanding urgent intervention and the commencement of a process to remove Batohi in terms of the NPA Act. [email protected]
Daily Maverick
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
EFF's Sihle Lonzi evicted from Parliament after challenging Seta board appointments
Chaos broke out at a hearing of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education when EFF MP Sihle Lonzi was forcibly removed after raising concerns about leaked Seta board appointments. Tensions ran high in Parliament on Tuesday, 14 May during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training when Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi questioned the department's director-general, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, about a leaked list of newly appointed chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards. Lonzi questioned the transparency and political impartiality of the Seta board appointments. However, the committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie (ANC), intervened, saying the minister of higher education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who was absent, would address the issue later. Letsie noted that the committee had previously decided to defer the discussion until the minister's appearance, a decision Lonzi missed due to his late arrival. The situation escalated into a heated exchange, with Lonzi accusing the chairperson of shielding the department from accountability. 'This chairperson is protecting corruption,' shouted Lonzi. 'The son of [Minerals and Petroleum Resources] Minister Gwede [Mantashe] gets to be appointed illegally in Setas, and now we are being thrown out because this chairperson is protecting corruption,' said Lonzi as parliament security evicted him from the meeting. ANC member Gaolatlhe Kgabo shouted at Lonzi while he was being evicted, 'You think you can come here and tell us what to do? We cannot be dictated to by an individual.' Skills development Setas facilitate skills development through programmes like learnerships and internships. In 2024, Nkabane issued a call for nominations for the appointment of chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, who would serve a five-year term, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030. The leaked Seta board list, seen by Daily Maverick, includes Gwede Mantashe's son Buyambo Mantashe, who has been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta. Also named are former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu. Lonzi told Daily Maverick that Letsie was using the committee to settle ANC internal scores. 'He wants to appear to be strong, a person of accountability, but once you touch those that are going to impact his factional interests within the ANC, he wants to come as a defence. He's turning that committee into a toothless dog.' Letsie confirmed that the committee had agreed to write to Nkabane following a letter by committee member Karabo Khakhau (DA) calling for the minister to be summoned urgently to explain the appointments. Khakhau wrote to Letsie that: 'These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. Seta boards play a vital role in skills development and economic empowerment. They are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty.' Letsie defended his handling of the committee session, stating: 'He [Lonzi] first arrived late, there was no apology and then after members had agreed on the matter of Setas, he wanted to defy that decision. He just wanted to grandstand today because he felt left out by the letter of the DA that was making the rounds.' DM
