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The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes today’s engagement of the Portfolio Committee on Basic Education with the Minister and officials of the Department of Basic Education regarding allegations of irregularities in recruitment processes.

During the proceedings, a key allegation - that the Minister or her office instructed officials to include specific CVs in a shortlist - was directly refuted by the official concerned, who confirmed that no such instruction was received.

This is a critical clarification, which goes to the heart of the claims that triggered this engagement. Despite clear confirmation by the Department’s Chief Director for Human Resources that Minister Siviwe Gwarube did not interfere in the recruitment process under discussion, certain members continued to push a shifting narrative built on insinuation rather than evidence.

Instead of settling the matter following this confirmation, the Chairperson allowed the Committee to embark on a wild goose chase, shifting allegations and permitting baseless speculation about ongoing HR processes and even concerning private individuals who are no longer public servants - matters that carry clear legal implications and should never have been entertained without proper legal advice, reflecting recklessness and uninformed decision-making on her part.

The DA further notes that, when providing evidence to the Committee, officials confirmed that the actions taken by the Minister were consistent with her legal responsibilities as Executive Authority, including ensuring that recruitment processes are lawful, fair, and based on merit.

The facts are straightforward. The Minister acted squarely within the ambit of the Public Service Act. At no stage did the Minister or her office instruct that any candidate be favoured or prejudiced. To portray lawful executive oversight as interference is not only misleading - it risks undermining the professional functioning of committees of Parliament.

The DA cautions against the use of unverified claims by certain Members of the Committee to cast aspersions on lawful executive oversight, particularly where such claims are contradicted by the evidence presented to the Committee.

The DA is concerned that what should be a matter of administrative clarity is increasingly being framed in a manner that risks undermining legitimate efforts to strengthen governance within the Department.

The work currently underway to improve the integrity of recruitment processes and attract skilled professionals into the public service is both necessary and long overdue.

The DA supports the Minister’s continued efforts to professionalise the Department of Basic Education, strengthen accountability, and ensure that appointments are made in the best interests of learners and the country.

As the Committee process is ongoing, the DA encourages that all further engagements be guided by facts, the law, and a shared commitment to protecting the integrity of the Department.

The Committee’s focus should remain on strengthening and providing oversight over the work of the Department and ensuring that it fulfils its responsibility to serve the 13.7 million learners in South Africa’s basic education system, rather than being drawn into a politically-manufactured witch hunt.

The DA will continue to support reforms that build a capable, ethical and professional public service and will not allow parliamentary processes to be abused to intimidate reform-minded leadership.

Issued by Ciska Jordaan MP - DA Deputy Spokesperson on Basic Education