Opposition parties in Mpumalanga are intensifying pressure on Premier Mandla Ndlovu to release the progress report on the investigation into the controversial R2-million laptop scandal in the provincial education department.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has threatened to escalate the matter to the Public Protector, accusing the provincial government of violating the Public Service Act by failing to resolve the suspension of Head of Department (HOD) Lucy Moyane within the legally mandated three-month period.
Moyane was suspended in May following allegations of irregular expenditure after her department spent R2 million on just 22 office laptops. Premier Ndlovu had initially committed to releasing a progress report by a self-imposed deadline but has since missed that deadline, sparking outrage from opposition parties.
DA Threatens Legal Action
The DA warned that if the matter is not concluded by the end of August, the party will lodge a complaint with the Public Protector.
“The Public Service Act requires that disciplinary cases involving suspended officials be resolved within three months. Moyane was suspended in May, meaning this matter must be finalized before August ends,” a spokeserson said. “Taxpayers cannot continue to bear the burden of paying suspended officials who are not working.”
EFF, MK Party Demand Accountability
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) have also criticized Ndlovu for the delays, demanding full transparency on the investigation’s findings.
“We demand the immediate publication of the progress report dated 30 June,” said an MKP representative. “We need to see the recommendations, the implementation plan, and a clear timeline for the disciplinary proceedings. We cannot wait forever.”
The EFF raised concerns about the lack of clarity on Moyane’s fate, questioning why she remains suspended with full pay while no decisive action has been taken.
“The premier removed former MEC Cathy Dlamini, but we still don’t know what is happening with the HOD, who was the accounting officer responsible for signing off on these purchases,” said an EFF spokesperson. “We need answers—where is the report? What is her fate?”
Government Defends Delay
Provincial government spokesperson George Mthethwa defended the premier, attributing the delay to logistical challenges in the disciplinary process.
“Certain processes are not determined by the premier’s own deadlines,” Mthethwa said. “The availability of disciplinary committee members has affected the timeline, but we assure the public that the matter will be resolved.”
Previous Scandals Linger
This is not the first financial scandal to hit the Mpumalanga Education Department. Last year, the department was investigated for allegedly spending R2 million to upgrade a guardhouse and fence at the Ehlanzeni District offices. That report has also not been made public.
As pressure mounts, opposition parties vow to keep pushing for accountability, warning that they will not allow the matter to “fade into thin air.”
“The future of education is at stake,” the MKP said. “Premier Ndlovu’s administration must act decisively.”
With the end of August looming, all eyes are on the premier to see if he will finally break his silence or face further legal and political repercussions.
