South Africa President Fires Education Minister Amid Corruption Claims

South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has dismissed Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane, following allegations that she lied to parliament and approved questionable appointments linked to the ruling party.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has removed Dr Nobuhle Nkabane from the role of Minister and Higher Education and Training,” the presidency announced in a statement late Monday. The move came after Nkabane failed to appear before parliament to explain the controversial appointments to education boards.

The Democratic Alliance (DA), South Africa’s second-largest political party and a key member of the ruling coalition, had earlier filed criminal charges against Nkabane, accusing her of deceiving lawmakers to cover up the “fraudulent” placement of ANC-affiliated individuals.

Tensions have been rising within South Africa’s 10-party coalition, as Ramaphosa’s administration battles a string of corruption scandals. “Graft had become standard practice under Ramaphosa’s rule,” the DA alleged.

The crisis deepened on July 13, when Ramaphosa was forced to suspend his police minister after a provincial police chief accused him of receiving payments from a corruption suspect and working with organised crime.

In another case, the DA has also filed corruption charges against Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, linked to fraudulent electricity billing involving state-owned Eskom.

South Africa, once praised for its post-apartheid democratic reforms, now ranks 82nd on Transparency International’s global corruption perception index—reflecting growing public concern over governance and accountability.