By: Xolani Khumalo
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Commissioner of the Public Service Commission, Professor Somadoda Fikeni, calling for the appointment of three new Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) administrators by Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela to be overturned.
The appointments of Oupa Nkoane as Construction Seta administrator, Lehlogonolo Masoga as Services Seta administrator, and Zukile Mvalo as Local Government Seta administrator have come under fire.
DA MP Karabo Khakhau says the three individuals are unfit to serve as Seta administrators.
The controversy stems from concerns about the appointees’ past conduct. Nkoane is alleged to have been implicated in a forensic report related to the mismanagement of nearly R900 million during his tenure as Emfuleni municipal manager. Masoga reportedly authorised a backdated R4.4 million contract while heading the Musina-Makhado Special Economic Zone. Mvalo has been a senior official in the department since 2017, a period marked by ongoing instability within the SETAs.
Despite the criticism, Minister Manamela defended the appointments, saying they are necessary to stabilise the SETAs and restore public confidence in the institutions. He stated that the new administrators would be expected to address procurement irregularities, board dysfunction, and other governance failures. Each administrator has been appointed for a one-year term and will report monthly to the Director-General.
The DA has called for the appointments to be revoked, citing serious concerns over governance and public trust. Civil society groups, including OUTA, have echoed these concerns and warned that without credible and ethical leadership, the SETAs risk falling back into dysfunction.
In response to the backlash, Manamela has also asked the Public Service Commission to investigate the appointments. Some observers see this as an attempt to pre-empt further criticism.
