‘It was us,’ EFF claims victory as Nkabane scraps SETA appointments first flagged by DA

Despite the DA first exposing the allegation, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are claiming victory after Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane withdrew controversial SETA board appointments, following fierce backlash over alleged nepotism and political favouritism. Despite the DA first exposing the allegation, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) are claiming victory after Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane withdrew controversial SETA board appointments, following fierce backlash over alleged nepotism and political

favouritismThe red berets called the appointment “blatantly corrupt and nepotistic,” and that the initial appointments were rooted in a political proximity and abuse of office.

“The EFF is vindicated. We have been consistent and unrelenting in our exposure of the rot and unethical appointments made by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, and we have

done so without fear or favour,” EFF national spokesperson Sinawo Thbo said.

The party claimed the appointments lacked fairness, transparency, or merit, but instead called them evidence of the ANC’s longstanding practice of rewarding political loyalty with public positions.

This follows the decision by Higher Education, Science and Innovation minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, on Thursday night, to withdraw, with immediate effect the recent appointments of the SETA board chairpersons, including several individuals linked to the ANC.

These included Buyambo Mantashe, the son of Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, and former KwaZulu-Natal premier Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube.

The appointments came to light following concerns from the Democratic Alliance (DA). The party then wrote to the Higher Education Portfolio Committee chairperson, demanding answers on the matter.

Thambo described the appointments as not only a conflict of interest, but also “a textbook case of nepotism and elite capture of state institutions for personal and factional gain.”

“We remind the public that it was the EFF that raised the alarm about these appointments both inside and outside Parliament,” he said.

Despite the DA having flagged the appointments, the EFF claimed victory over the withdrawal of the SETA boards.

”It was the EFF that exposed the incestuous political networks at play, and it was an EFF Member of Parliament who was manhandled by parliamentary security in a portfolio committee while demanding accountability.”

On Wednesday, IOL News reported that during a portfolio committee meeting, Lonzi was ejected by parliamentary security after clashing with committee chairperson Tebogo Letsie.

In a video shared on social media, Lonzi is seen challenging Department of Higher Education and Training director-general Dr Nkosinathi Sishi over the appointments, demanding answers on alleged political interference.

As tensions escalated, Lonzi accused Letsie of protecting the director-general from accountability. Letsie then ordered Lonzi’s removal.

Thambo said Nkabane’s decision to reverse the appointments without giving a full explanation is clear confirmation that the political pressure from the EFF was effective. “However, the matter does not end here. The minister must account to the people of South Africa. She must publicly explain why she saw it fit to abuse her powers in the first place.” “Furthermore, if the portfolio committee