DA to Ramaphosa: Fire Nkabane now — Parliament ‘won’t tolerate corruption as governance'
Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane at the swearing-in ceremony of ministers from his Government of National Unity (GNU) Cabinet.
Image: Supplied.
Democratic Alliance MP, Jeanne Adriaanse, has renewed her party’s call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, accusing her of misleading the public and enabling corruption within her department.
Speaking during the department's budget debate in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Tuesday, Adriaanse said that the DA has laid a criminal complaint against Nkabane, following revelations that members of the panel responsible for appointing Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) board chairs had ties—past or present—to the department itself.
“The minister has lost all credibility,” said Adriaanse.
“She is not the right person to lead this portfolio. It's time for President Ramaphosa to fire Minister Nkabane and clean out the ANC’s criminal network from the heart of government.”
The DA has accused Nkabane of lying about the independence of the appointment process, describing her actions as a blatant disregard for parliamentary oversight.
Adriaanse warned that the DA will not allow Parliament to be “treated with contempt” and said the party will continue to expose what it views as corruption disguised as governance.
She also criticised the department’s dismal performance, citing a sharp decline in target achievement—from 78% in 2019–2020 to just 51.8%—under Nkabane’s leadership.
In her defence, Nkabane attributed much of the department’s financial struggles to the withdrawal of US funding to tertiary institutions.
“Out of the 26 public universities, at least 13 were affected by the termination,” she said, referencing a recent executive order signed by US President Donald Trump, which included cuts to vital aid programs such as the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).
Despite these challenges, critics within the DA argue that financial pressure cannot justify compromised governance.
"There is a reprieve as for the current Medium Term Expenditure Framework cycle, the department’s budget has increased at an average annual rate of 4.4%, in nominal terms," she said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa removed Andrew Whitfield, Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition and a DA member amid allegations of an unauthorised international trip.
This triggered mixed emotions from the DA members. The DA also threatened to leave the Government of National Unity (GNU).
Meanwhile, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) has denounced the DA's decision to lay criminal charges against Nkabane, calling it a “coordinated attack” with political motives.
“Let’s not allow South African society to be misled by people who want to create a facade on matters with political interests,” said ANCYL secretary-general Mntuwoxolo Ngudle in an interview with the public broadcaster.
“This is a democratic country, governed by active legislation. Let’s not allow a coordinated attack on a young female minister.”
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