In a major political escalation, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced it will lay criminal charges against Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane on Tuesday, accusing her of misleading Parliament over the controversial appointment process for SETA board chairpersons.
The DA alleges that the selection panel—stacked with ANC-aligned figures and Nkabane’s political appointees—lacked independence and transparency. At the centre of the storm is the appointment of Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, to head the MERSETA board, fuelling accusations of nepotism and political patronage.
Although Nkabane later withdrew the appointments under public pressure, the DA argues that her initial actions undermined fairness and accountability in public governance.
DA leaders Helen Zille, Baxolile Nodada, and Karabo Khakhau are set to file the charges at Cape Town Central Police Station, just hours ahead of Nkabane’s Budget Vote presentation in the NCOP—a move likely to further intensify political scrutiny.
