Mpumalanga education department’s laptop scandal investigated | Mpumalanga News

In the midst of a provincial scandal suggesting the Department of Education bought 22 laptops for over R90k each, the EFF demanded today that criminal charges be laid against MEC Cathy Dlamini.

The EFF’s provincial leader, Collen Sedibe, has released a media statement in which he calls for Premier Mandla Ndlovu to take action.

“The EFF calls on the Premier Mandla Ndlovu to immediately lay a formal complaint with the Public Protector (PP) and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and to open a criminal and corruption case with the Hawks against the MEC for education, Cathy Dlamini, following the procurement of 22 laptops at R2m,” read Sedibe’s statement.

He acknowledged that the premier had intervened and ordered the Integrity Unit in his office to investigate the allegations urgently, but said this was not enough as this is a massive scandal.

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“The seriousness of this matter demands action beyond the confines of the premier’s office. As the head of the Members of the Executive Council, Premier Ndlovu has a fiduciary duty to report any suspected acts of corruption by an MEC to the relevant authorities like the PP, SIU and the SAPS,” said Sedibe.

The alleged transaction of the laptops came to light during a recent question-and-answer session in the Provincial Legislature.

Dlamini confirmed that the department purchased 22 laptops for R91 482.50 each, but shifted the blame to the officials responsible for the purchase of IT goods.

She even said she did not benefit from the laptops because she was using a second hand one.

“To implicate the MEC or her office in this matter is both misleading and unjust,” said the provincial education spokesperson, Jasper Zwane.

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Meanwhile, Ndlovu has confirmed that the investigation was at an advanced stage and would be completed soon.

“This investigation seeks to gather facts, supporting evidence and verify any information or documentation at the team’s disposal,” said Ndlovu.

The ANC’s provincial secretary, Muzi Chirwa, also called for accountability in the “controversial R2m laptop procurement”.

Chirwa also called on all those concerned to allow the investigation to continue without any undue pressure.