In a dumbfounding final act of defiance, ANC Minister Nobuhle Nkabane has indicated her intention to bunk a crucial parliamentary committee meeting later today, about her SETA cadre deployment scheme.
The Minister, Ministry and persons whom the Minister referred to as her “independent panel” were due before Parliament at 09:00 AM today, to explain their understanding of this panel, and if it ever existed. Advocate Terry Motau is slated to appear before the committee later today, to give his version of the events of the Minister’s so-called “independent panel.” But subsequently Nkabane has issued a media alert that she will be in the Eastern Cape this morning.
The latest committee agenda now also does not list the appearance of Minister Nkabane today. Her political appointed staff in her Ministry – her Chief of Staff and Advisor – also no longer appear on the committee agenda for today. The Chief of Staff is a key member of Nkabane’s political inner-circle who has previously declared in writing to Parliament that she did not form part of the “independent panel” as Nkabane claimed and was due to answer for this glaring contradiction today.
This is sheer defiance of parliament by an ANC Minister who has been caught out for brazen cadre deployment, then for lying to parliament to cover it up, and now the subject of a HAWKS investigation.
President Ramaphosa continues to take zero action against ANC Ministers caught out for corruption, lying, fraud, and criminality. And so Nkabane goes on with impunity, bunks Parliament and flies to a media event in the Eastern Cape.
The ANC culture of harboring and protecting criminality is evidenced day after day.
Minister Nkabane cannot run or hide from Parliament or from the law. While she may enjoy ANC protection, the DA will not allow her to be protected from the full consequences of the law.