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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane, his office announced on Monday, in a move seen as an attempt to ease growing tensions within the country’s fragile coalition government.
Nkabane’s removal follows serious allegations from the Democratic Alliance (DA), a key partner in the newly formed coalition, accusing her of misconduct. According to the DA, the former minister orchestrated the appointment of politically connected individuals—linked to the ruling African National Congress (ANC)—to the boards of skills development institutions, and then misled parliament to conceal her role.
While Nkabane has denied the claims, she confirmed her exit in a statement aired on local broadcaster eNCA, saying it had been “a privilege to serve.”
Her dismissal is the latest development in a turbulent power-sharing arrangement between the ANC and the DA, the two largest parties in South Africa’s post-election unity government. The DA had been intensifying pressure on Ramaphosa to act on Nkabane following his earlier dismissal of the DA’s own deputy trade minister, who was fired for undertaking an unauthorised overseas trip.
The DA welcomed Nkabane’s sacking but warned it would continue to hold ANC ministers accountable. The party had threatened to vote against the budgets of departments headed by ANC officials facing allegations of misconduct — a move that could destabilise the legislative process.
Parliament is expected to vote on the Appropriation Bill — the final key component of this year’s national budget — on Wednesday. Nkabane’s ouster may be a strategic effort by Ramaphosa to shore up support and prevent a budget standoff in a deeply divided legislature.
