WITHDRAWAL of dodgy SETA boss appointments has been welcomed as a smart move.
The EFF said the picking of chairpersons for the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) was done through a "blatantly corrupt" and "nepotistic" process linked to political buddies and abuse of power.
"The EFF is vindicated. We have been consistent and unrelenting in our exposure of the rot and unethical appointments made by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, and we have done so without fear or favour," said party spokesman Sinawo Thambo.
He said it is the EFF's firm belief that these appointments were not made fairly or based on skill but were the ANC's usual way of giving jobs to loyal party members, instead.
Higher Education Minister Dr Nobuhle Nkabane said late on Thursday, 15 May, that she has decided to can the appointments straight away.
Among the jobs-for-pals picks was Buyambo Mantashe, son of ANC chairman and Mineral Resources Minister, Gwede Mantashe.
Thambo reminded the public that it was the EFF that blew the whistle on these dodgy appointments, inside and outside Parliament.
"However, the matter does not end here. The minister must account to the people of South Africa. She must publicly explain why she saw it fit to abuse her powers in the first place," he said.
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The South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) warned that the minister's move must not be a sneaky withdrawal, only to bring back the same people under slightly different terms.
Union boss Zwelinzima Vavi said the rot in the SETAs goes deeper and must now be sorted out properly.
"Saftu is also concerned about the implications appointment delays will have on the functions of the SETAs. The term of the previous boards concluded on 31 March 2025, and as of 1 April 2025, the new boards were supposed to have taken over," said Vavi.
"Currently, SETAs are without accounting authorities. What will become of needy students and the graduates to whom bursaries and grants must be disbursed when there is no accounting authority?"
ANC spokeswoman Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the withdrawal was a good move and called it a sign of the ANC's push for honest leadership, listening to the people and running things properly.
"It is precisely the kind of leadership envisioned in our programme of organisational renewal, responsive, transparent, and anchored in public service, not personal entitlement," she said.
"It was a decision of conscience and accountability, made by a minister committed to transparency and good governance."
