Mpumalanga Premier
By Nkosana Khumalo
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu will on Monday, 5 May 2025, release the findings of a long-awaited investigation into the Department of Education’s controversial procurement of laptops, which sparked national outrage over a reported R2-million spend on just 22 devices. The probe, spearheaded by the Integrity Management Unit within the Office of the Premier, aims to provide clarity, ensure accountability, and affirm the provincial government’s commitment to transparency and ethical governance.
The press briefing will take place at 14h00 at the EXCO Board Room, Building 2, Riverside Government Complex in Mbombela. It comes at a time when public trust in procurement processes, especially within education departments, is under significant strain. Premier Ndlovu has reiterated his administration’s commitment to truth, accountability, and restoring confidence in public systems.
“We are committed to provide accurate information based on the investigation that we have concluded. Our priority is to provide the public with the truth, thereby ensuring accountability and protecting the integrity of this government,” Ndlovu said.
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Unpacking the R2-Million Laptop Scandal
At the heart of the controversy is the procurement of 22 laptops at a shocking unit cost of R91,482.50—far exceeding standard market prices. The deal, which totalled R2,020,883.45, raised immediate red flags among opposition leaders, civil society groups, and even members of the ANC’s national leadership.
The procurement came under scrutiny during a heated sitting of the provincial legislature when EFF MPL Ntsako Mkhabela questioned Education MEC Cathy Dlamini on the matter. Dlamini defended the transaction, asserting that the laptops were sourced through a State Information Technology Agency (SITA)-approved supplier panel. She strongly denied any personal benefit and claimed opposition parties were unfairly tarnishing her reputation.
Still, her response failed to quell public anger. The scale of the expenditure—amid a broader context of deteriorating school infrastructure and resource shortages in Mpumalanga—intensified calls for a full-scale investigation.
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Premier Ndlovu’s Commitment to Transparency
Faced with mounting pressure, Premier Ndlovu moved swiftly. In early April 2025, he directed the Integrity Management Unit to initiate a thorough investigation, collect evidence, and assess whether any irregularities or violations of procurement laws had occurred. During his appearance at the G20 Education Indaba on 24 April 2025, he promised that the findings would be released “soonest.”
“Our investigation of these 22 laptops is at an advanced stage. We’ll be ready soonest—and my soonest is soonest,” he said then, in remarks that drew both curiosity and anticipation from the media and public.
As the investigation progressed, the Premier maintained regular communication with the public, reassuring citizens that the administration under his leadership would act decisively if wrongdoing was found. His approach was notably bolstered by support from national figures, including President Cyril Ramaphosa and ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, who both expressed concern over the reputational damage the saga could inflict on the ruling party.
“You must know that the leadership of the ANC also has an interest in this matter. The President wants to know what happened,” Ndlovu said during a briefing, highlighting the high-level attention the issue has garnered.
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Political Stakes and Public Accountability
The scandal, now dubbed the “thunder of the laptops” by Premier Ndlovu himself, has evolved into a significant political flashpoint. For the ANC, which has repeatedly faced allegations of procurement irregularities in various provinces, swift and transparent handling of the matter is vital—particularly in the run-up to the national and provincial elections.
With calls for criminal accountability growing louder, Monday’s briefing is expected to be a litmus test for Ndlovu’s 7th administration, which has positioned itself as committed to “building a capable, ethical and developmental state.”
Insiders suggest that the report may contain firm recommendations for disciplinary action, criminal referrals, or procurement reforms, depending on the extent of financial misconduct uncovered. However, the full details remain under wraps until the official release.
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Lucy Moyane’s Sudden Leave Raises Eyebrows
The pressure of the laptop probe has already led to leadership shifts within the provincial administration. Lucy Moyane, the Head of Department (HOD) for Education, took what has been described as a “month-long leave of absence” starting Friday, 25 April 2025.
The timing—just a day after Premier Ndlovu’s commitment to releasing the findings—has not gone unnoticed. Although government spokesperson George Mthethwa insists the leave was routine and previously approved, speculation is rife that it is linked to the investigation’s pending conclusions.
“This is a normal annual leave that she applied for some time ago… it was delayed due to the G20 Provincial Education Indaba,” Mthethwa told reporters.
Moyane’s track record has already been under the spotlight. In November 2024, the provincial standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) recommended disciplinary action against her department for a separate incident involving the R2-million refurbishment of a guardhouse—essentially a basic shed—in KaNyamazane. Despite findings of misleading conduct and financial mismanagement, Moyane remained in her role, fuelling criticism of a lack of consequence management in provincial governance.
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ANC Under Pressure as Civil Society Demands Answers
While the provincial government prepares to release its findings, pressure from civil society organisations and opposition parties continues to build. Activists have called for a forensic audit of all recent procurement deals in the education department, warning that the laptop saga could be indicative of deeper systemic failures.
Opposition parties are also sharpening their rhetoric. The EFF has vowed to push for full criminal prosecution should any official be found guilty of abuse of office or flouting procurement protocols. The DA, meanwhile, has called for Premier Ndlovu to publish the investigation report in full and table it before the provincial legislature for scrutiny.
ANC insiders have admitted that the scandal has placed the party on the defensive, particularly as it battles to regain public trust after several high-profile corruption scandals in recent years. President Ramaphosa’s intervention in the matter signals the seriousness with which the national executive views the issue.
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What to Expect at Monday’s Press Briefing
The upcoming press briefing on Monday is expected to be a watershed moment in the handling of the scandal. With journalists, civil society leaders, and opposition lawmakers expected to attend, Premier Ndlovu will be under the microscope as he delivers the findings of an investigation many hope will set a precedent for accountability.
Key aspects expected to be addressed include:
• Confirmation of whether procurement laws were violated;
• Identification of responsible individuals or departments;
• Disciplinary or legal actions recommended;
• Proposed reforms to prevent future misuse of public funds;
• Assurance on how the provincial government plans to recover any lost money.
The Premier’s Office has already committed to ensuring media access and providing detailed documentation during the briefing.
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