Latest news with #TerryMotau
The Herald
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald
'Time to fire Nkabane': DA MP Khakhau writes to Ramaphosa amid Seta board woes
'Once exposed, and once public pressure mounted, Nkabane made an effective admission of her infringements by withdrawing the appointments. Her ANC cadre deployment had been exposed, roundly criticised and she had to admit defeat.' In the list of the panel members, Nkabane falsely claimed legal expert advocate Terry Motau was part of the it. She later apologised, saying it was a misunderstanding. Khakhau said other members on the list were not independent. 'Some are on the payroll of her department and two are political appointments, including a chief of staff, in the office of the ANC minister.' Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said Ramaphosa has not yet received the letter from Khakhau. He added MPs do not have the power to demand that Ramaphosa fire Nkabane. 'MPs do not get to direct the president on how to manage and lead the executive,' Magwenya told TimesLIVE. 'The principle of separation of powers of the three independent arms of the state must be respected. 'The president has asked for a report from Nkabane, the matter is being attended to. Therefore there's no need for letters urging the president to act on a matter he is attending to.' TimesLIVE
The Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Minister Nkabane apologises to advocate Motau for including his name on list of disputed Seta panel
Higher education minister Nobuhle Nkabane has apologised to advocate Terry Motau for including his name on the disputed 'independent panel' that assisted her in the process that led to botched appointments to the boards of Sector Education and Training Authorities (Setas). Nkabane on Tuesday said he had written to Motau about what she said was a 'misunderstanding' surrounding his involvement in the panel being questioned by parliament's portfolio committee on higher education. The apology by Nkabane is rumoured to have come on the advice of President Cyril Ramaphosa and Luthuli House on Thursday last week. Ramaphosa and senior ANC leaders are also said to have advised her to stop speaking to the media for fear of digging herself further into a hole. Nkabane last week revealed names of a panel which she said was independent and had recommended names of ANC cadres to lead the Seta boards. On that list, the name of Motau featured prominently as someone who was meant to have chaired the panel. Motau, however, took issue with his name being included in the list of panel members, saying the process of appointing him was never concluded and he never attended a meeting. Nkabane sent an apology to him on Monday. 'The purpose of this engagement was to seek a shared understanding of the matter and to express regret for the confusion caused. The minister conveyed her sincere apology to advocate Motau for any inconvenience, reputational discomfort or misunderstanding that may have arisen,' the department said on behalf of Nkabane. 'This outreach was undertaken in the spirit of transparency, mutual respect and professional courtesy. There was never any intent to misrepresent advocate Motau's role or to cause harm to his professional standing. The misunderstanding has now been constructively resolved and there is a mutual understanding between the p arties.' Nkabane said she had not been made fully aware that the process to formally appoint Motau as the chair of the panel required the presence of an attorney. I Motau said he only met Nkabane's adviser Asisipho Solani and a Luvo Makasi whose role in the department remains unclear. 'This gap in communication contributed to the oversight,' said the department. Nkabane has also undertaken to brief parliament's portfolio committee on higher education on the steps taken to clarify that Motau was not involved in the panel. Nkabane has been summoned to appear before the committee next month with her disputed panel. 'She remains accountable to parliament and is committed to ensuring full transparency and procedural compliance. 'The minister reaffirms her respect for advocate Motau and his distinguished service to the legal profession and public life. She remains committed to ensuring the appointment processes in the department are guided by integrity, transparency and due diligence.' TimesLIVE
