The political landscape in South Africa took a dramatic turn yesterday as the Democratic Alliance (DA) lodged a criminal complaint against Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her of misleading Parliament regarding the appointments of individuals with ties to the African National Congress (ANC) to the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards. The complaint, submitted at the Cape Town Central police station by DA federal chairperson Helen Zille and DA MP Karabo Khakhau, alleges that the minister incorrectly claimed an “independent” evaluation panel was responsible for these selections.
The DA did not mince words in its assertion that Nkabane had not only broken the law but had also violated her oath of office. “This is not a case of poor judgement; it is a flagrant and deliberate attempt to deceive Parliament and the South African people,” the party stated. With a commitment to holding government officials accountable, the DA announced that it would refuse to support the Department of Higher Education and Training’s budget until Nkabane is removed from office, declaring that it would oppose any budgets presented by ministers under criminal investigation.
In a passionate reaction, Zille accused President Cyril Ramaphosa of failing to act against corruption within the executive, stating, “We’re here today for the simple reason that President Ramaphosa refuses to be as good as his word and act against corruption, act against criminality in our Parliament.” She insisted that the apparent tolerance for what she termed “serious fraud” in the government demonstrated an alarming double standard.
The DA’s announcement comes alongside a call for Ramaphosa to act swiftly against Nkabane, warning that continued inaction would implicate him in enabling governmental corruption. However, there has been no immediate response from the Presidency, as spokesperson Vincent Magwenya did not engage with a request for comment.
In response to the allegations, Nkabane’s spokesperson Camagwini Mavovana defended the minister’s integrity, asserting, “The Minister has consistently acted in good faith and within the bounds of the law.” Mavovana emphasised that Nkabane’s focus remains on creating tangible outcomes for young South Africans, highlighting her upcoming Budget Vote speech which aims to outline strategic investments in skills development, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.