EFF's Sihle Lonzi evicted from Parliament after challenging Seta board appointments

Tensions ran high in Parliament on Tuesday, 14 May during a meeting of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training when Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Sihle Lonzi questioned the department’s director-general, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi, about a leaked list of newly appointed chairpersons to Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) boards.

Lonzi questioned the transparency and political impartiality of the Seta board appointments. However, the committee chairperson, Tebogo Letsie (ANC), intervened, saying the minister of higher education, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, who was absent, would address the issue later.

Dr Nobuhle Nkabane. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images)

Letsie noted that the committee had previously decided to defer the discussion until the minister’s appearance, a decision Lonzi missed due to his late arrival.

The situation escalated into a heated exchange, with Lonzi accusing the chairperson of shielding the department from accountability.

“This chairperson is protecting corruption,” shouted Lonzi. “The son of [Minerals and Petroleum Resources] Minister Gwede [Mantashe] gets to be appointed illegally in Setas, and now we are being thrown out because this chairperson is protecting corruption,” said Lonzi as parliament security evicted him from the meeting.

ANC member Gaolatlhe Kgabo shouted at Lonzi while he was being evicted, “You think you can come here and tell us what to do? We cannot be dictated to by an individual.”

Skills development

Setas facilitate skills development through programmes like learnerships and internships.

In 2024, Nkabane issued a call for nominations for the appointment of chairpersons of accounting authorities for 21 Setas, who would serve a five-year term, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.

The leaked Seta board list, seen by Daily Maverick, includes Gwede Mantashe’s son Buyambo Mantashe, who has been appointed chairperson of the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Seta. Also named are former KwaZulu-Natal premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube and ex-ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu.

Read more: Construction Seta spent R79.8m in irregular expenditure, criminal prosecutions could follow – Auditor-General

Lonzi told Daily Maverick that Letsie was using the committee to settle ANC internal scores.

“He wants to appear to be strong, a person of accountability, but once you touch those that are going to impact his factional interests within the ANC, he wants to come as a defence. He’s turning that committee into a toothless dog.”

Letsie confirmed that the committee had agreed to write to Nkabane following a letter by committee member Karabo Khakhau (DA) calling for the minister to be summoned urgently to explain the appointments.

Karabo Khakhau. (Photo: Fani Mahuntsi /Gallo Images)

Khakhau wrote to Letsie that: “These appointments raise serious concerns about the politicisation of institutions meant to serve all South Africans. Seta boards play a vital role in skills development and economic empowerment. They are not ANC cadre deployment havens, nor should they be misused as rewards for political loyalty.”

Letsie defended his handling of the committee session, stating: “He [Lonzi] first arrived late, there was no apology and then after members had agreed on the matter of Setas, he wanted to defy that decision. He just wanted to grandstand today because he felt left out by the letter of the DA that was making the rounds.” DM