Former minister Nobuhle Nkabane takes responsibility for Seta appointment blunders amid ethics investigation
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Read the original article: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-former-minister-nobuhle-nkaba…
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8 claims extracted and verified against multiple sources including cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia.
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Corroborated
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“Former minister Nobuhle Nkabane admitted to failing to conduct proper oversight and taking responsibility for her controversial Seta appointments.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Nobuhle Nkabane admitted to failing in the oversight process for the Seta board chairpersons appointments. One source states she 'admitted that she failed to detect flaws and early signs in the process of the appointment of the Seta board chairpersons.'
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wikipedia
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— Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane MP (born 1 August 1979) was the Minister of Higher Education in the cabinet of South Africa, having been sworn in on 3 July 2024 and served until 21 July 2025. She previously se…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
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NEUTRAL
— Former of higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane has admitted that she failed to detect flaws and early signs in the process of the appointment of the Seta board chairpersons. This ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-former-mi…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-former-mi…
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— Former minister of higher education Nobuhle Nkabane has been found guilty of breaching parliament's code of ethics over her handling of the process of selecting Seta board chairpersons, which ...
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-nkabane-foun…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-nkabane-foun…
+ 1 more evidence source
“Nkabane attempted to appoint 21 Seta board chairpersons with deep ties to the ANC, including Buyambo Mantashe and Mike Mabuyakhulu.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Nkabane was involved in appointing 21 Seta board chairpersons, and these appointments were linked to ANC politicians, including Buyambo Mantashe's son.
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wikipedia
NEUTRAL
— Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane MP (born 1 August 1979) was the Minister of Higher Education in the cabinet of South Africa, having been sworn in on 3 July 2024 and served until 21 July 2025. She previously se…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
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— After weeks of mounting pressure, Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has released the list of panellists who assisted her with the appointments of 21 Seta board chairpersons — several of ...
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/nkabane-reveal…
https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/nkabane-reveal…
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— Several of the 21 Seta board chairpersons appointments were linked to ANC politicians, including Gwede Mantashe's son, Buyambo Mantashe, who had been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-21-ramaphosa…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-21-ramaphosa…
+ 1 more evidence source
“Nkabane claimed to have established an independent panel to oversee the Seta appointments, but Advocate Motau revealed he was never formally appointed.”
CORROBORATED
Two separate web search results confirm that Advocate Motau stated he was not formally appointed to chair an independent panel overseeing the SETA board appointments, contradicting Nkabane's claim.
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— Advocate Terry Motau, who Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane claimed was chairing an independent advisory panel of the SETA board, said he never agreed to the role.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-06-20-nkabanes-seta-sca…
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-06-20-nkabanes-seta-sca…
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— Advocate Terry Motau says he was not formally appointed to chair an independent panel to oversee the appointment of the SETA board chairpersons.
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/nkabanes-no-show-in-parlia…
https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/nkabanes-no-show-in-parlia…
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— Nobuhle Nkabane Seta panel board chairpersons. Former higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane.“Only Advocate Motau was independent in a real sense because two are from the department an…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/nkabane-parliament-seta-panel…
https://www.citizen.co.za/news/nkabane-parliament-seta-panel…
“Nkabane breached items 5(1)(c) and (e) of the Code of Ethical Conduct by failing to act in the public trust and maintaining parliamentary integrity.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that the Ethics Committee found Nkabane breached specific items of the Code of Ethical Conduct, namely item 5(1)(c) and (e).
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— Ms Nkabane blamed Mr Solani for the entire debacle but accepted the Joint Committee's finding that she breached the Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members' Interests. The Joint Committee fo…
https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/media-statement…
https://www.parliament.gov.za/press-releases/media-statement…
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— "The committee found that honourable Nkabane, MP breached item 5 (1) (c) and (e) of code of ethical conduct and disclosure of members' Interests," Gordon wrote.
https://mg.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-parliament-orders-nkaba…
https://mg.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-parliament-orders-nkaba…
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— Please find attached English, isiZulu, Sesotho by Karabo Khakhau MP. I have received a letter from Parliament's Acting Registrar of Members' Interests, which confirms that the ANC's Nobuhle Nkabane is…
https://www-origin.da.org.za/2026/03/parliament-ethics-commi…
https://www-origin.da.org.za/2026/03/parliament-ethics-commi…
“The committee mandated Nkabane's apology must address allowing her adviser Asisipho Solani to manipulate Seta appointments and failing to exercise due care.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results indicate that the ethics committee found Nkabane guilty for allowing her advisor to improperly handle appointments and for failing to detect flaws, leading to recommendations for an apology.
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wikipedia
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— Nobuhle Pamela Nkabane MP (born 1 August 1979) was the Minister of Higher Education in the cabinet of South Africa, having been sworn in on 3 July 2024 and served until 21 July 2025. She previously se…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobuhle_Nkabane
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— Former higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane was found guilty of breaching parliament's code of ethics for allowing her advisor to improperly handle the appointment of Seta board ...
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-nkabane-foun…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2026-03-24-nkabane-foun…
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— Former of higher education and training minister Nobuhle Nkabane has admitted that she failed to detect flaws and early signs in the process of the appointment of the Seta board chairpersons. This ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-former-mi…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-03-25-former-mi…
+ 1 more evidence source
“President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Nkabane from the Cabinet and appointed Buti Manamela as the new minister of higher education and training.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and appointed Buti Manamela to the portfolio.
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— President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister and Higher Education and Training and has in terms of Section 91 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Afr…
https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/president-cyril-ram…
https://www.gov.za/news/media-statements/president-cyril-ram…
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— President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed Buti Manamela as minister of higher education and training.
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-07-21-nkabane-remo…
https://www.timeslive.co.za/politics/2025-07-21-nkabane-remo…
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— President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training and has appointed Buti Manamela as Minister of the portfolio.
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/president-appoints-ne…
https://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/president-appoints-ne…
“The DA welcomed the ethics committee's findings and stated Nkabane lied to Parliament to cover her tracks.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that the Democratic Alliance (DA) accused Nkabane of misleading Parliament regarding the SETA appointments.
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— The Democratic Alliance has laid criminal charges against Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane after she misled the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education over the ...
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-01-da-lays-c…
https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-01-da-lays-c…
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— Today, the Democratic Alliance (DA) has taken decisive action against Minister Nobuhle Nkabane by formally laying criminal charges for deliberately misleading Parliament and abusing her position to fa…
https://www.da.org.za/2025/07/da-lays-criminal-charges-again…
https://www.da.org.za/2025/07/da-lays-criminal-charges-again…
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— This comes after the Joint Ethics Committee found Nkabane guilty of misleading Parliament about SETA board appointments when she was the Higher Education Minister.
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/03/25/da-awaits-hawks-action-agai…
https://www.ewn.co.za/2026/03/25/da-awaits-hawks-action-agai…
“The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) confirmed charges against Nkabane are still under investigation.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that the Hawks (Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation) are investigating criminal charges against Nkabane related to the SETA appointment misconduct, following complaints from the DA.
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— The Hawks have confirmed they are investigating criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, following a complaint filed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) last week.
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-07-07-hawks-confirm-inv…
https://iol.co.za/news/politics/2025-07-07-hawks-confirm-inv…
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— By Mpho MoloiThe Hawks Step In: A Case Under InvestigationDA’s Charges: Fraud, Lies, and SETA Appointments
https://centralnews.co.za/hawks-investigate-minister-nkabane…
https://centralnews.co.za/hawks-investigate-minister-nkabane…
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— The Democratic Alliance (DA) confirmed on Monday that the criminal complaint it laid against African National Congress (ANC) Minister Nobuhle Nkabane is now under investigation by the Directorate for …
https://www.polity.org.za/article/das-criminal-case-against-…
https://www.polity.org.za/article/das-criminal-case-against-…
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Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.