By Rejoice Peterside, Abuja
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed his Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, amid mounting allegations of corruption and dishonesty in public office.
The dramatic decision, announced Monday night by the presidency, comes just weeks after the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second largest party in South Africa’s coalition government, filed a criminal complaint accusing Nkabane of lying to parliament in a bid to cover up the fraudulent appointment of African National Congress (ANC) linked individuals to key education authority boards.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister of Higher Education and Training,” the presidency said in a statement.
Nkabane’s dismissal follows her repeated failure to attend critical parliamentary hearings where she was expected to provide clarity on the controversial appointments, further escalating the pressure on Ramaphosa to take decisive action against corruption within his cabinet.
The Democratic Alliance, which joined the national unity government after the ANC lost its parliamentary majority in last year’s general elections, has been vocal in its criticism of the ANC’s handling of corruption. The party accused Ramaphosa’s administration of normalizing graft, calling it “standard practice under his rule.”
In addition to Nkabane’s sacking, the DA has also lodged corruption charges against Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane over alleged fraudulent transactions with Eskom, the national electricity supplier.
Just days earlier, on July 13, Ramaphosa was forced to suspend his Minister of Police following damning allegations by a provincial police chief. The chief claimed the minister had accepted bribes from a known corruption suspect and conspired with organized crime networks.
The string of scandals has intensified scrutiny of Ramaphosa’s leadership and the integrity of his administration, particularly as his ANC party grapples with internal divisions and waning public trust.
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index, South Africa currently ranks 82nd globally, a reflection of the widespread public concern over systemic corruption in the country
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