25 March 2026

The African National Congress (ANC) Parliamentary Caucus, through its Basic Education Study Group, has been at the forefront of exposing the flagrant abuse of human resource processes by the Democratic Alliance (DA) Minister of Basic Education, Siviwe Gwarube.

Our oversight responsibilities compelled us to act decisively upon receiving allegations of gross manipulation in the recruitment of the Deputy Director-General (DDG) for Curriculum Policy, Support, and Monitoring. In pursuit of accountability, the Study Group formally engaged the Minister to seek clarity. Our questions were met with contempt and were snubbed while the Minister sought refuge behind the vague assertion of “Executive Authority.” The allegations of the DA’s extraordinary cadre deployment have now been proven to be correct. The Minister dismally failed to justify her recommendation for the appointment, choosing instead to deviate from the legitimate panel constituted by qualified HR experts.

Undeterred, the ANC study group intensified its scrutiny when similar concerns emerged regarding the recruitment process for the Chief Director for Communications. Once again, the Minister demonstrated a clear unwillingness to cooperate. It was during this process that the ugly face of the DA’s cadre deployment was exposed by the demand to include two specific CVs after the official closing date for applications. Our initial allegations were emphatically corroborated in the Portfolio Committee meeting, laying bare a concerted effort to undermine state institutions.

The Minister’s conduct constitutes a direct assault on the legislative and regulatory frameworks that govern our public service, including the Public Service Regulations and the Public Service Professionalisation Framework. Instead of coming clean to the millions of South Africans who expect ethical leadership, the Minister chooses to play to the gallery and blatantly refuses to submit crucial documents to the Portfolio Committee. This conduct raises profound legal and ethical questions about the Minister’s fitness to hold office.

However, the pressure exerted by the ANC study group is yielding results. The Chief of Staff in the Minister’s office has since resigned, a direct consequence of our relentless pursuit of the truth. We will leave no stone unturned in exposing the shenanigans taking place within the department. As the ANC we remain steadfast in our mission to root out the culture of deploying cronies at the expense of capable, principled public servants.

As a direct outcome of the Study Group’s interventions, we have successfully forced the Portfolio Committee to:

• Lodge a formal inquiry into the conduct of the DA Minister; and

• Issue a subpoena for the former Chief of Staff to provide testimony under oath.

We have also issued a stern warning against any attempts to victimize principled workers who have had the courage to speak out. The ANC refuses to remain silent on this travesty of law and good governance. We are forging ahead with our campaign for accountability by petitioning the Office of the Public Protector and the Department of Public Service and Administration to take the necessary remedial action.

Furthermore, we demand that the Cabinet reject the recommendation for the DDG appointment. No individual whose appointment is tainted by corruption, manipulation, and the flagrant disregard for the rule of law should be allowed to assume office.

The ANC Caucus will continue to act without fear or favour. We will not be silenced, and we will not rest until integrity is restored to the Department of Basic Education.

Issued by the Whip of the ANC Basic Education Study Group, Cde Tshepo Louw

For enquiries
Please contact: 0641473276
Cde: Hlengiwe Hadebe
Media Liaison Officer