EFF Accuses Minister Buti Manamela Of Perjury Over Conflicting SETA Consultation Claims

The Economic Freedom Fighters believe Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has some explaining to do. The party has formally accused him of perjury, arguing that his public statements and his submissions in court simply do not match. And in a political climate where accountability is under the microscope, the EFF is treating this dispute as a test of South Africa’s democratic watchdogs.

Complaint Lands At Police Station And Public Protector

On Wednesday morning, EFF national chairperson Nontando Nolutshungu and party commissioner Sihle Lonzi arrived at the Cape Town police station. Their mission was clear: open a case of perjury and improper conduct against Minister Manamela, and file a matching complaint with the Public Protector.

Outside the station, images of the pair circulated quickly across social media, with EFF supporters applauding the party for pursuing what they call “double standards in the executive.” On X, some users compared the matter to previous scandals involving ministerial accountability, while others questioned whether the complaint will lead to genuine consequences.

The Core Of The Dispute

At the centre of the complaint is a simple but high-stakes question: Did Minister Manamela consult with the National Skills Authority before placing three Sector Education and Training Authorities under administration?

By law, such consultations must happen before any SETA is dissolved or placed under new management. According to the EFF, the Minister gave two completely different versions of events to two different platforms.

EFF MP Sihle Lonzi outlined the timeline. He explained that when the Minister addressed MPs in Parliament, he told them he had not consulted with either the National Skills Authority or the affected SETAs before issuing the gazette in August.

Yet, in a later court affidavit responding to a legal challenge from the Local Government SETA, Manamela reportedly stated that he did consult with the NSA on 7 August.

For the EFF, this contradiction is not a minor oversight but a serious breach of trust. Lonzi said the versions are “mutually exclusive,” meaning one of them must be false.

Growing Political Pressure

The EFF has warned that Manamela could face a fate similar to former deputy minister Nobuhle Nkabane, who was removed from Cabinet after misleading Parliament over SETA board appointments. The party argues that Parliament cannot function if ministers give inaccurate or selective information to lawmakers.

In its public statements, the EFF claims Manamela’s alleged contradictions amount to a “material lie” intended to shape the court outcome in the SETA dispute. That accusation, if proven, could carry serious legal and political consequences.

What Happens Next

While the Public Protector and SAPS have yet to announce how they will handle the complaint, the matter has already sparked debate about transparency in the higher education sector. SETAs play a crucial role in South Africa’s skills development pipeline, and frequent leadership disputes have long raised questions about political interference.

For now, Minister Manamela continues to maintain his role and responsibilities, but the pressure is mounting. Opposition parties are watching, civil society groups are raising concerns about governance in the SETA system, and the public is waiting to see whether this latest complaint will lead to real action or become another unresolved political dust-up.

Either way, the unfolding story has added fresh tension to an already charged political landscape, highlighting once again how critical truthfulness and consistency are in public office.

{Source:EWN}

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