The Mpumalanga Department of Education has refuted allegations of improper procurement of tablets for Grade 12 learners.
Reports claimed that as many as 50,000 tablets, costing the department R200 million, were procured before the tender evaluation process was completed.
The tablets are also alleged to have failed the State Information Technology Agency’s (SITA) compliance requirements and were faulty when delivered to learners.
Speaking to Bongani Bingwa on 702, Department media liaison officer Gerald Sambo refuted the claims and clarified that they have a contract with Rainmaker, through SITA, for the procurement of tablets.
They have not yet taken delivery of any devices, he added.
“We do not know any faulty devices that we procured. Currently, at this stage, we are in the process of profiling all of the learners who need to receive these tablets, so we have not received any tablets yet as a department.”
He said that since the Ubuhlebuzile E-Learning Programme was launched in 2022, the department had not experienced any issues with devices.
Regarding the tendering processes, Sambo said that, because the company already has a contract with another provincial department, regular procurement procedures were not required.
He added that the department wanted to ensure the timely delivery of the tablets as the previous contract with the same supplier was set to expire.
“[Rainmaker] has a contract with the Gauteng Department, and we participated through that contract, and that is allowed through the supply chain processes. There is nothing wrong.”
Sambo said that the department is also working to provide 70,000 tablets at a cost of about R300 million to Grade 10 learners, who will use them until they complete Grade 12.
Packard Bell responds
Packard Bell confirms that all tablets supplied were delivered in full compliance with the technical specifications approved by the contracting parties and their appointed procurement partners.
The devices meet the agreed performance standards and warranty requirements, and Packard Bell has not been notified of any verified or systemic device failures.
As part of standard quality-assurance procedures applicable to technology deployments of this scale, Packard Bell South Africa further confirms that any devices identified with minor issues at the point of delivery are subjected to testing at the warehousing stage and replaced prior to final distribution. In this instance, the number of units identified with minor issues was below 2.5%, and all such devices were replaced before being issued to learners. This variance falls well within accepted industry norms for large-scale technology rollouts.
Packard Bell remains fully committed to supporting educational initiatives through the provision of compliant, fit-for-purpose technology and will continue to deliver products that meet the required specifications, supported by a comprehensive three-year warranty.
To listen to Sambo, use the audio player below:
Chante Ho Hip
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