Angry MPs slam Nkabane for latest snub, call on Ramaphosa to act against her

Minister Nkabane was meant to appear before the higher education portfolio committee on Friday, but she instead decided to attend a student induction and Mandela Day event at a TVET college in East London.

Embattled Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has again angered MPs after snubbing a crucial portfolio committee meeting in Parliament.

MPs from different parties slammed Nkabane for failing to attend the committee meeting on Friday, with calls for President Cyril Ramaphosa to take action against her.

Nkabane was set to give members another briefing on the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board selection process, which was abandoned after an outcry that the appointees were aligned to the African National Congress (ANC).

Minister Nkabane was meant to appear before the higher education portfolio committee on Friday, but she instead decided to attend a student induction and Mandela Day event at a TVET college in East London.

Committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie, rejected her apology.

“However, the apology for the meeting on the 18th of July is hereby not acceptable owing to the importance of the meeting.”

Democratic Alliance (DA) MP, Désirée van der Walt, said that Nkabane and Director-General Dr. Nkosinathi Sishi, must be summoned to appear and the minister must be reported to the president.

“And she should be held accountable by the president who appointed her and I think we must write to the president about the minister’s behaviour again.”

Nkabane will now appear on Tuesday next week, as the committee tries to put the SETA board controversy to rest.