Mpumalanga Education
By Nkosana Khumalo
Mpumalanga’s education department head, Lucy Moyane, has taken a “month-long leave of absence” as pressure mounts over the “R2-million laptop procurement” saga that has rocked the province. Her departure came just hours after Premier “Mandla Ndlovu” vowed during a media briefing at the “G20 Education Indaba” on Thursday, 24 April 2025, to make the findings of an ongoing investigation public. With the “integrity management unit” in the premier’s office leading the probe into the purchase of “22 laptops” at a staggering “R91,482.50” each, South Africans are demanding accountability amid growing scrutiny from ANC leadership, including President “Cyril Ramaphosa” and Secretary-General “Fikile Mbalula”.
Investigation Nears Completion as Public Awaits Answers
The controversy centres on the procurement of “22 laptops” costing a total of “R2,020,883.45”, raising eyebrows over the exorbitant price per device. Premier Ndlovu, addressing the media, assured the public that the investigation is “at an advanced stage”. “Our investigation of these 22 laptops is at an advanced stage. We’ll be ready soonest, and my soonest is soonest,” he said, emphasizing transparency. The probe, launched after public outcry, seeks to uncover whether the deal complied with procurement regulations or if it represents another case of financial mismanagement in the province.
The issue first erupted in a tense provincial legislature session when EFF MPL “Ntsako Mkhabela” grilled Education MEC “Cathy Dlamini” about the laptops’ cost. Dlamini confirmed the expenditure and explained that the devices were sourced through a “Sita (State Information Technology Agency) panel of approved suppliers”. She denied personal gain, stating, “refuses to be captured by the opposition”, and claimed her image was being unfairly tarnished. Ndlovu echoed her defiance, saying, “We have taken a decision as an organisation that we are no longer going to allow an individual, business, or any structure to capture our government.”
ANC Leadership Piles on Pressure
The investigation has gained urgency due to pressure from the ANC’s top ranks. Ndlovu admitted that President Ramaphosa and Secretary-General Mbalula are pushing for swift resolution. “You must know that the leadership of the ANC also has an interest in this matter. The president wants to know what happened,” he said. “The SG [secretary-general] of the ANC wants us to provide answers because when they do their work in other areas, they are asked about this thunder of the laptops in Mpumalanga. If mistakes were committed, we are going to act without fear.” This high-level involvement highlights the political stakes, with the ANC keen to address allegations of corruption that could damage its reputation ahead of future elections.
The premier’s reference to the “thunder of the laptops” reflects the public and political storm the saga has unleashed. With Mpumalanga’s education system already strained by infrastructure shortages, the lavish spending has struck a nerve, prompting calls for accountability from opposition parties and civil society.
Moyane’s Leave Sparks Speculation
Moyane’s “month-long leave of absence” began on Friday, 25 April 2025, with provincial examinations director “Chukudu Manyabeane” stepping in as acting head. Provincial government spokesperson “George Mthethwa” insisted it was routine, saying, “This is a normal annual leave that she applied for some time ago and waited for approval. Also, it was delayed due to the G20 Provincial Education Indaba, which was held yesterday [Thursday]. Otherwise, she could have taken it some time ago.” Yet, the timing—hours after Ndlovu’s pledge—has fuelled speculation that her departure is linked to the investigation’s looming outcome.
This isn’t Moyane’s first brush with controversy. In November 2024, the provincial standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) recommended disciplinary action over a “R2-million refurbishment of a guardhouse” in KaNyamazane, outside Mbombela. The guardhouse, a “basic shed”, cost “R1.1-million” to revamp, with an additional “R1-million” spent on fencing. Scopa slammed Moyane’s team for misleading them by “cutting and pasting responses” from an unrelated school project. Despite these findings, Moyane stayed in her role until now, intensifying questions about oversight in the department.
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