Higher Education Deputy Minister Buti Manamela is at the centre of mounting criticism following his appointment of administrators to oversee three embattled Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs). The move, intended to stabilise and reform the Services SETA, Local Government SETA, and Construction SETA, has instead triggered political backlash and raised questions about governance, transparency, and adherence to public service codes.
The appointments, made in August, were justified by Manamela as a necessary intervention to turn around the troubled institutions. However, members of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, as well as the Democratic Alliance (DA), have voiced strong opposition—claiming that some of the individuals selected are themselves mired in controversy.
On Friday, Minister Manamela appeared before Parliament to defend his decision, insisting that the process followed was legitimate and that all administrators were chosen based on qualifications, experience, and their capacity to carry out the mandate of restoring credibility and efficiency to the SETAs.
Yet, tensions remain high, with critics accusing Manamela of ignoring due process and bypassing accountability measures enshrined in the Constitution.
DA and Committee Members Challenge Manamela’s Justifications
Among the strongest voices of opposition is DA MP Karabo Khakhau, who has taken the extraordinary step of writing an open letter to Professor Somadoda Fikeni, the commissioner of the Public Service Commission (PSC). In the letter, Khakhau calls for urgent intervention to assess whether Manamela’s appointments comply with Chapter 10 of the Constitution, which governs the ethical framework of the public service.
Khakhau specifically questioned the appointments of Oupa Nkoane, Lehlogonolo Masoga, and Zukile Mvalo—all of whom were brought in as administrators of the SETAs. According to Khakhau, their appointments may be “inconsistent with the codes and requirements of the public service,” potentially undermining both the credibility and legality of the process.
The letter requests the PSC to guide Manamela on upholding constitutional values such as transparency, fairness, and merit-based selection in public appointments.
Responding to the criticism, Minister Manamela reiterated that all three administrators were headhunted based on their expertise, qualifications, and experience in public administration and SETA-related environments. He argued that the urgency of the situation required decisive leadership to arrest what he described as deep-rooted mismanagement, financial irregularities, and service delivery failures across the SETAs.
“Turning around institutions in crisis demands that we move with speed and precision,” Manamela told the committee. “The individuals appointed are not only qualified but have the strategic insight needed to drive transformation and restore trust.”
However, committee members remain unconvinced, pointing to what they describe as “contradictions” in the release of a forensic report into the SETAs’ financial affairs. They argue that transparency around the report and the selection process for administrators has been lacking—and that this undermines the very reforms the Minister claims to champion.
The portfolio committee has urged Manamela and the Department of Higher Education to do more than just appoint administrators. Members insist that unless the underlying systemic issues within the SETAs are addressed—including weak financial controls, politicised leadership appointments, and lack of accountability—the cycle of mismanagement will continue.
They also stressed the need for stronger departmental oversight and clearer performance targets for administrators. Without these, the risk of repeating past failures remains high.
“The issue is not just about who is appointed, but how they are appointed and whether the systems are in place to hold them accountable,” one committee member said. “Minister Manamela must focus on building a resilient and transparent structure, not just short-term interventions.”
The debate over the SETA administrator appointments highlights broader concerns around political interference, ethical governance, and the integrity of South Africa’s public service institutions. As the controversy unfolds, Manamela finds himself under increasing pressure—not only to justify his decisions but to demonstrate a clear commitment to public accountability and institutional reform.
Stakeholders in the education and training sector are also watching closely. SETAs play a crucial role in skills development and employment creation, and instability in these bodies has a direct impact on the country’s youth, job seekers, and vocational training landscape.
Whether Manamela’s bold move will lead to real reform or further institutional erosion remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that public trust must be earned through transparent action, not just strategic appointments.
Source- EWN
