The concerns come after reviewing correspondence from Higher Education Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, which contradicts earlier assurances regarding the independence of the panel tasked with recommending board appointments to the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). 

The committee says it has now requested a full explanation from the Minister and her department. Chairperson of Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Tebogo Letsie.

“The concerns of members was that in the meeting of the May 30, the buzzword that was used at the meeting, was that the panel was independent, when the list was release, they then were asking what was independent because the meeting of the 30th concentrated on the fact that the panel was independent. So, they even went as far as saying they believe the minister lied in parliament, and we must as committee, refer to the ethics committee, open criminal cases,” Letsie said.

--SABC--