Parliamentary Ethics Committee Finds Former Minister Nobuhle Nkabane Guilty of Gross Misconduct Following Seta Board Appointment Scandal

Former Minister Nobuhle Nkabane found guilty of gross misconduct by Parliament's Ethics Committee for misleading lawmakers on SETA board appointments.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 9:40 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Eyewitness News

A Decisive Verdict on Executive Accountability

Parliament’s Ethics Committee has officially concluded that former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane committed gross misconduct by failing to uphold the standards required of her office. The investigation, which stemmed from a complaint by Democratic Alliance MP Karabo Khakhau, determined that Nkabane fundamentally breached the Executive Code of Ethics during her tenure. According to the committee’s findings, the former minister played a central role in a series of administrative failures that compromised the integrity of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training. This ruling marks a significant moment of internal accountability within the South African legislature, highlighting the consequences of administrative negligence at the highest levels of government.

Systemic Failures in SETA Oversight Protocols

The probe centered on the appointment of Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairs, a process that was found to be riddled with procedural irregularities. The committee determined that Nkabane failed to exercise necessary oversight by allowing her personal advisor to manage the recruitment and selection panel without proper checks. This lack of diligence resulted in a selection process that lacked transparency and legal standing, undermining the governance of critical education bodies. According to the investigation, Nkabane did not verify if the selection panel was properly constituted, which directly led to the appointment of individuals through flawed and irregular channels.

Political Patronage and Governance Irregularities

Serious allegations regarding political favoritism were validated during the probe, specifically concerning the appointment of individuals with close ties to the African National Congress (ANC). Among the most contentious appointments was the son of ANC Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, which the committee noted as part of a broader pattern of placing ANC linked figures into SETA board leadership positions. These actions were viewed as a direct violation of the neutral and meritocratic standards expected in public service recruitment. The findings suggest that the selection process was steered to favor political associates rather than following established impartial protocols, further damaging public trust in the department’s independence.