The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Tuesday laid criminal charges against Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane for allegedly lying to Parliament about African National Congress (ANC) cadre appointments, announcing that it will vote against Nkabane’s department’s budget and other budgets led by what it calls “corrupt” ANC Ministers.

Last week the party gave President Cyril Ramaphosa an ultimatum to fire Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, Nkabane and Member of National Assembly David Mahlobo, following the sudden removal of its own Deputy Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Andrew Whitfield.

Ramaphosa said the reason for Whitfield’s firing was that he did not obtain permission from the President to travel abroad earlier this year.

The DA said Whitfield’s removal was a double standard on Ramaphosa’s part, as there were still Ministers embroiled in corruption allegations serving on his Cabinet.

In retaliation, the DA laid charges against Nkabane at the Cape Town Central Police Station, for her allegedly repeated “false claims” to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training.

The party claimed that Nkabane lied when she stated that the panel tasked with appointing the sector education and training authorities (Seta) boards chairpersons consisted of independent people, and subsequently informed Parliament that they were not independent at all.

DA Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training member Karabo Khakhau claimed that Nkabane abused the name of a senior legal expert Advocate Terry Motau, claiming that he chaired her independent panel.

“Advocate Motau exposed that Minister Nkabane was not telling the truth, and since then Nkabane has publicly declared that she was wrong about Motau,” Khakhau said.

The DA believes that these were lies that are part of a “calculated attempt to cover up the fraudulent appointment” of ANC-linked individuals to Seta boards.

“This is not a case of poor judgement; it is a flagrant and deliberate attempt to deceive Parliament and the South African people. Minister Nkabane has broken the law and violated her oath of office. The DA will not stand by while Ministers who lie, manipulate processes, and protect ANC cronies remain in office,” Khakhau said.

She claimed that corruption in the executive had become standard practice under Ramaphosa’s watch, noting the President’s silence and inaction, which she said were enabling the decay.

“…he has no excuse. The evidence is clear. If he refuses to act, then he is complicit in this deception. The DA will not allow Parliament to be treated with contempt, and we will not tolerate corruption disguised as governance,” Khakhau stated.

Meanwhile, the party had also filed a supplementary ethics complaint against Nkabane and announced its intention to escalate the matter to Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka.