Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela encountered strong criticism in Parliament on 26 November 2025 for reappointing seven Sector Education and Training Authority CEOs. Opposition MPs questioned the legality and rushed nature of the decisions made shortly after new boards took office. Critics highlighted potential violations of legal guidelines and lack of transparency.
During a heated session of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on 26 November 2025, Economic Freedom Fighters MP Sihle Lonzi and Democratic Alliance MP Karabo Khakhau confronted Minister Buti Manamela over his reappointment of seven Seta CEOs to five-year terms running until March 2030. The reappointments occurred on 1 October 2025, just one day after the newly appointed Seta boards assumed their roles on 30 September 2025.
Manamela had directed the 21 new Accounting Authorities to convene urgently on 30 September and submit recommendations for acting CEOs by 1 October. Lonzi argued that such a tight timeline undermined rationality and transparency, stating, “There is no way a rational, transparent and reasonable decision can be taken by a new board today and give a minister a name of a CEO that must sit for a further five years tomorrow. I do not believe that a rational decision was taken.” He further claimed the process lacked due process and appeared unilateral.
A letter from Manamela dated 6 October 2025, viewed by the committee, explicitly stated that CEO contracts ending on 30 September could not be extended, and affected individuals could not continue acting in their roles. Despite this, Manamela defended the reappointments as lawful, noting that boards had complied with his instructions.
Khakhau referenced a 1 October legal opinion from the minister's office, which advised against recommending outgoing CEOs for acting positions post-30 September, deeming such actions irregular. Department advocate Ntombizodwa Kutta affirmed that reappointments required the CEO to be in office by 30 September, with post-deadline roles limited to acting from internal executives. Manamela acknowledged interpretive differences but maintained his authority to consider recommendations anytime.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse expressed dismay in a 29 October statement, pointing to absent advertisements, interviews, and shortlisting, in breach of Seta regulations. Concerns arose over the CEOs' records: Chieta’s CEO faced Special Investigating Unit probes for maladministration; Inseta’s had four qualified audits, ignored a court order risking R200-million claims, and irregular contracts totaling over R46 million; MQA’s spent R2.1 million on private security amid unclarified threats.
Committee chair Tebogo Letsie sought clarification on contract expirations, with Kutta emphasizing adherence to end dates. The session underscored demands for greater accountability in Seta governance.