“She’s Not Fit For Office”: Pressure Mounts on Higher Education Minister Nkabane to Step Down

From Allegations of Deceit To Corruption Cover Ups, South Africa’s Higher Education Sector is in Turmoil  and Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is At the Centre of It.

The umKhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) has added its voice to a growing outcry calling for the immediate removal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. The party’s sharp rebuke comes in the wake of deepening scandals involving governance failures and corruption at the Construction Sector Education and Training Authority (CETA).

For MKP Member of Parliament Mnqobi Msenzane, the issue goes beyond politics. It’s about protecting a sector that plays a vital role in South Africa’s future. “She is simply not fit to hold office,” Msenzane said, citing a laundry list of failures under Nkabane’s watch.

A System in Crisis

At the heart of the storm is CETA, a critical public entity with a budget of over R20 billion. Reports suggest that Nkabane ignored whistleblower alerts about irregular tender awards and fraudulent procurement deals. The whistleblower in question, suspended senior manager Tumiso Mphuthi, claims she submitted evidence of wrongdoing by CETA CEO Malusi Shezi — but no action was taken.

Instead of cleaning house, the Minister is accused of appointing politically aligned allies to key SETA board positions, sowing chaos across multiple training authorities, including the Energy and Water SETA (EWSETA) and Services SETA.

“Minister Nkabane didn’t just fail to act — she actively enabled the dysfunction,” said Msenzane, noting that the delay in board appointments has stalled decision-making, disrupted bursary payouts, and hindered strategic planning.

Misleading Parliament?

But the alleged corruption isn’t the only concern. Nkabane is also under fire for misleading Parliament. She reportedly gave false information about the composition of the independent panel tasked with board appointments — a serious breach that has drawn the ire of opposition parties and civil society groups alike.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has since lodged a formal complaint with the Public Protector, arguing that Nkabane’s actions violate the Executive Members Ethics Code.

“The level of deceit is staggering,” the DA said in a statement. “This is not a mere slip-up. It’s a fundamental breach of the public’s trust.”

A Sector Held Hostage

With SETAs already under administration and the Auditor General’s reports delayed, the higher education sector appears to be drifting further into instability. Insiders warn that the ripple effects could be devastating: unspent budgets, unpaid student stipends, and ultimately, a chokehold on skills development and economic growth.

Prominent academic Professor Malegapuru Makgoba has joined the chorus of concern. Writing in the Sunday Times, the former University of KwaZulu-Natal vice-chancellor said Nkabane has publicly embarrassed President Cyril Ramaphosa and damaged the integrity of her office.

“She has brought the sector into disrepute,” Makgoba wrote. “The honourable thing to do now is to resign.”

Silence From the Top

As the backlash grows, the Minister’s office has deflected media queries to the Presidency. President Ramaphosa, for his part, has remained tight-lipped. His spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, has yet to issue a public response.

This silence, critics say, is deafening — especially as pressure mounts from within Parliament and beyond. Whether the President will act decisively or allow the crisis to deepen remains to be seen.

What’s clear is this: South Africa’s skills pipeline is at risk, and confidence in the leadership of the higher education ministry is running on fumes.