Manamela to Face Parliament Over Controversial SETA Appointments

DA Pushes for Accountability

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela will appear before the parliamentary portfolio committee on 19 September 2025 to explain his decision to place three Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) under administration. The move comes amid growing criticism from opposition parties, particularly the DA, over the appointment of ANC cadres to key administrative positions.

DA MP Karabo Khakhau argued that the appointments of Lehlogonolo Masoga, Oupa Nkoane, and Zukile Mvalo to Services SETA, CETA, and Local Government SETA, respectively, were fraught with irregularities. She claimed that one appointee, Nkoane, was reportedly unaware of his role before it was publicly announced a procedural misstep that she says demands parliamentary scrutiny.

Procedural Tensions in Parliament

Khakhau initially requested a committee meeting for Minister Manamela to appear, but Higher Education Portfolio Committee Chair Tebogo Letsie deemed it premature. Letsie argued that he had requested detailed explanations from the minister and that committee scheduling constraints prevented an immediate meeting.

The dispute escalated when Khakhau appealed to House Chairperson Cedric Frolick, who approved the committee’s application to meet with Manamela, overriding Letsie. Khakhau welcomed the decision, framing it as a critical step toward accountability and transparency.

Letsie, however, took to social media to clarify that Frolick approved the committee’s application, not Khakhau’s specific call, and emphasized facts over political populism.

Public Reaction and Political Context

Social media reaction has been swift. Many critics have highlighted the tension between political patronage and procedural governance. Citizens are questioning whether appointments were politically motivated, noting that forensic reports have previously implicated some ANC cadres in mismanagement of public funds.

For context, SETAs manage critical skills development initiatives in South Africa, distributing levies and grants to support vocational training. Mismanagement or questionable appointments can have wide-ranging impacts on employment and education opportunities.

Next Steps

Minister Manamela is expected to provide Parliament with the rationale behind these appointments, including the vetting process and any compliance with governance standards. The DA has also requested that Nkoane appear under oath to clarify the circumstances of his appointment.

This upcoming parliamentary session will be closely watched by opposition parties, civil society, and media observers, all eager to assess whether procedural irregularities were involved and if accountability mechanisms in the SETA system are effective.

{Source: IOL}

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