DA Slaps Minister Nkabane with Fraud Charges Over ‘Fake’ SETA Appointment Claims

Higher Education head accused of misleading Parliament and stacking SETA boards with ANC insiders

The Democratic Alliance has officially lodged criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her of lying to Parliament about the appointment of ANC-linked individuals to influential Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) boards.

On Tuesday morning, DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille and DA MP Karabo Khakhau marched into the Cape Town Central police station to lay the charges, a bold move that escalates their ongoing battle against what they say is the ruling party’s culture of “cronyism and deception”.

The Trigger: A False ‘Independent’ Panel

The charges stem from Nkabane’s claims to Parliament that an independent evaluation panel had overseen the selection process for SETA board members, bodies that help direct skills development in South Africa’s critical training sector.

But according to the DA, this panel wasn’t independent at all.

“It included her own Chief of Staff and an ANC Youth League leader,” said Khakhau. “That’s not independence. That’s political recycling.”

Even more damning: Nkabane reportedly claimed that respected Advocate Terry Motau SC chaired the panel. But Motau himself shot that claim down, saying he had never been part of the process.

Fraud, Misrepresentation, and ‘Cadre Deployment’

Khakhau said the Minister’s actions amount to fraud and a clear violation of her oath of office. The DA believes this wasn’t a case of poor judgment, it was a deliberate deception.

“She lied to the committee. That’s a lie to Parliament,” said Zille, describing the appointments as part of a “well-oiled ANC deployment machine”.

Zille, who formerly served as Western Cape Premier, added that the DA will oppose the entire Higher Education budget unless Nkabane is removed.

Ramaphosa Under Fire for Silence

The case also highlights rising frustration with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s perceived reluctance to crack down on ministers accused of corruption or misconduct.

Zille said the DA’s legal action is, in part, a response to the “double standards” of a government that preaches accountability while tolerating deceit in its own ranks.

“President Ramaphosa refuses to act. If he won’t clean house, then the DA will,” she said.

Inside the Selection Panel

The DA investigation reportedly uncovered that at least three senior officials within the Department of Higher Education, including the Minister’s own Chief of Staff and two other top aides, sat on the panel that appointed SETA board members. Several of those appointees are said to be ANC deployees.

“This was not an independent selection. It was a coordinated political placement,” said Zille.

What This Means for SETAs and the Public

SETA boards play a pivotal role in South Africa’s workforce development, influencing how funds are spent, what programmes are prioritised, and who gets access to skills training. Appointments to these boards carry immense power and potential for patronage.

For years, watchdog groups and opposition parties have warned that cadre deployment, the ANC’s practice of appointing loyalists to strategic positions, undermines public trust and institutional effectiveness.

If the DA’s allegations are proven, it suggests that even institutions meant to drive national development are being quietly politicised.

Still No Response from the Presidency

Neither the Presidency nor Nkabane’s office responded to requests for comment. The DA has called for immediate action from President Ramaphosa, warning that inaction would only deepen public cynicism about the government’s commitment to clean governance.

“This is about the future of higher education, skills development, and integrity in public office,” Khakhau said. “We won’t stand by while Parliament is lied to.”

As the case develops, all eyes will be on how the police and the Presidency respond and whether this marks the beginning of serious political consequences for misleading Parliament in South Africa.

{Source: IOL}

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