The African National Congress ANC has welcomed the withdrawal of controversial appointments to the Sector Authority and Training Authority SETA boards - but insists it wont be lectured on accountability.
Higher Education and Training Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane announced the withdrawal in a late-night statement on Thursday 15 May.
The appointments drew accusations of political patronage from the Democratic Alliance DA and Economic Freedom Fighters EFF.
Among those appointed as board chairpersons were ANC-linked individuals such as:
- Former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
- ANC Deputy Regional Secretary Greater Johannesburg Region and City of Johannesburg member of mayoral council Loyiso Lugayeni Masuku.
- Buyambo Mantashe, the son of ANC National Chairperson and Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.
Nkabane said although the appointment process was overseen by an independent panel, she decided to recalibrate it following consultations with stakeholders.
I have taken the decision to withdraw previous appointments in response to public concerns, she said.
Further, I take this decision in the interest of good governance and transparency to ensure accountability of the appointment process.
ANC backs withdrawal of SETA board appointmentsIn a post on X , the DA described the withdrawal as a victory for fairness and transparency. The EFF said the new nomination process must not be a cosmetic exercise.
Both parties claimed credit for the withdrawal while criticising the ANC, which praised Nkabanes decision as a reaffirmation of the ANCs commitment to ethical governance, democratic accountability and institutional integrity.
The ANC will not be lectured on accountability by those who have no respect for democratic institutions, who turn every policy question into a populist outburst and who offer critique without responsibility, it defiantly added.