Nkabane Guilty of Ethics Breach in SETA Appointments Scandal

The Joint Committee on Ethics and Members’ Interest found former Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane guilty of breaching the ethical code. She lied to Parliament about the process for appointing chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authorities, or SETAs. This Nkabane ethics committee ruling came on 24 March 2026. It affects Nkabane, Parliament, the ANC, and the DA. Co-chair Hendrik Brits noted that Parliament has the final say on any action. The SETA scandal raises fresh questions about accountability in government appointments right now.

Nkabane told Parliament she followed advice from a panel when she named ANC cadres and allies as SETA chairpersons. This included the son of Minister Gwede Mantashe. The ethics committee found no such panel existed. Panelists distanced themselves from the claim.

The committee ruled that Nkabane failed to exercise proper oversight in the appointments. A complaint from DA MP Karabo Khakhau led to the probe. The findings confirmed she misled Parliament.

The committee recommends a reprimand from the National Assembly. It also calls for Nkabane to apologize for not showing due care. These points come straight from the ethics committee report, as stated by co-chair Hendrik Brits.

Nkabane faced the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training earlier. Lawmakers there accused her of arrogance when she answered questions on the appointments.

Ethics committee reports also note her prior guilty finding of gross misconduct. Political parties disagree on whether she should still face questions over the SETA board scandal.

Brits made clear that Parliament holds the power here. He said the houses can adopt or ignore the recommendations.

The recommendations do not bind Parliament. Both the National Assembly and National Council of Provinces will decide what happens next. This could shape Nkabane’s standing within the ANC and government.

Public trust in how appointments work may take a hit if no action follows. The case points to larger issues in oversight of state bodies like SETAs. Facts show the breach; what follows depends on Parliament’s choice.

Parties remain split on Nkabane accounting for the SETA scandal. Parliament must now weigh the reprimand and apology calls.

Near-term steps rest with the houses of Parliament. They will vote on adopting the ethics committee findings. Related stories in the topic timeline track these moves. Stay updated on Parliament’s decision and related developments via our topic timeline.