22 devices were apparently purchased at a cost far above the general market price
AfriForum awaits response to PAIA request regarding Mpumalanga Education’s expensive computers
17 April 2025
On 18 February 2025, AfriForum made a formal request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (also known as PAIA) to the Mpumalanga Department of Education to obtain more information about the purchase of 22 laptops in December 2024.
This followed an anonymous source providing information to AfriForum indicating that the computers were apparently purchased at a cost far above the general market price of similar computers. The purchases also led to shock and incisive questions in the question-and-answer session of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature yesterday (16 April).
According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the department has so far requested an extension because some of the information requested by AfriForum concerns individuals and the department is careful not to violate legislation on the protection of private information. AfriForum wants to know, among other things, how the specifications for the models and software that were decided upon were agreed upon; details of the tender process that was followed; the names of suppliers who submitted tenders for the purchases; the final amount for which the laptops were purchased; any documents that outline the pricing structure; for what purpose they will be used by the department; as well as an explanation of the budget allocation for the purchase thereof.
Meanwhile, the same anonymous source also sent a letter dated 3 March 2025 to AfriForum stating that Lucy Moyane, the provincial head of the education department, instructed that all data from the computers be wiped so that it could be returned to the supplier because it “does not meet the department’s supply requirements”.
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