14 May 2025

The ANC study group on Higher Education wishes not only to clarify but address the recent spurious allegations and misinformation surrounding the conduct of the Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Cde Tebogo Letsie but also expose the lies perpetuated by the sensational EFF.

The sequence of events which unfolded during today’s Portfolio Committee Meeting were not only regrettable but resulted in unnecessary disruption. It is worth noting that Honourable Lonzi arrived late for the portfolio committee meeting and wanted to raise issues that were not only part of the agenda but issues that the committee had processed before his late arrival at the meeting. The issue regarding the appointment of SETA’s board members was discussed extensively by the committee and the committee resolved to meet the Minister next week to receive a  comprehensive report on the appointment of members of SETA’s boards. Honourable Lonzi in his misplaced pseudo effervescent style came late to the meeting, deviating from the adopted agenda and when called to order by the chairperson, unsurprisingly, he played the victim card.

Honourable Lonzi is on a wild goose chase and the ANC has neither interest nor appetite to partake in such. For reasons known by Honourable Lonzi and the EFF, there’s a well coordinated plan to attack the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee but unfortunately it will never see the light of day. Cde Tebogo Letsie was fulfilling his duty as the Chairperson of the meeting to ensure that the committee’s agenda was adhered to, the meeting did not  degenerate into chaos as anticipated by the EFF. The focus was on the critical issues at hand, specifically the Construction Education and Training Authority (CETA) and the progress report concerning the DUJA Forensic Report into CETA and related governance matters.

All parliamentary committees operate under a quarterly program that dictates the issues to be discussed and this programme is received and adopted by all political parties. Programmes are designed to maintain order and accountability in our proceedings as a portfolio committee. All reports and presentations are to be submitted to the committee in accordance with established protocols.

The committee has collectively agreed to summon the Minister of Higher Education and Training to address pressing issues, reaffirming our dedication to ensuring that the Minister remains accountable for her actions to the committee. Punctuality and discipline should guide us in any form of engagements to genuinely adhere to our oversight.

The Committee remains committed to holding all entities accountable and ensuring that the voices of students and stakeholders are heard and respected. We encourage all members of the media and the public to focus on the facts and the ongoing work of the Portfolio Committee on higher education and training, which is aimed at addressing the challenges in our higher education system. We will continue to advocate for transparency, integrity, and accountability in all our dealings, particularly in relation to oversight.

ISSUED BY THE WHIP OF THE ANC STUDY GROUP ON HIGHER EDUCATION, CDE TSHEPO LOUW

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