The Mpumalanga Department of Education has dismissed its chief financial officer after an internal disciplinary process linked to the purchase of 22 high-performance laptops that cost the province in excess of R2 million.
Provincial officials confirm disciplinary action
MEC Lilian Masina confirmed the decision during proceedings in the provincial legislature’s education portfolio committee. In a subsequent media statement the department said the chief financial officer had been "relieved of her duties" after the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings. The Office of the Premier has named Ndumiso Mokako as acting chief financial officer while the department completes administrative transitions.
"Following the conclusion of the disciplinary process, the departmental chief financial officer has been relieved of her duties," the department said.
The procurement, which dates from December 2024, involved 22 Dell XPS 16 laptops purchased at about R91,482.50 each. The contract also included accessories such as wireless mice and laptop bags, and an HP printer. Public scrutiny intensified after the details appeared in the media and on social platforms, prompting calls for clarity about the need, authorisation and value for money of the acquisition.
What the department says on process and rights
Officials emphasised that the disciplinary process was conducted according to applicable government prescripts and that the dismissed official retains the right to pursue any available appeals or reviews. The department said it would not comment further on the merits of the matter while appeal processes remain open, citing procedural fairness and administrative justice.
In its statement the department reiterated a commitment to good governance, accountability and the responsible management of public funds. It added that where shortcomings are identified, corrective measures and consequence management will be applied in line with due process.
Local impact and procurement questions
The controversy raises questions in several areas important to provincial education delivery: whether the specification and quantity of high-end devices were justified; whether alternative, lower-cost options could have met the same operational need; and whether procurement rules and internal approvals were correctly followed.
- Device count: 22 laptops
- Unit cost: approximately R91,482.50
- Procurement date: December 2024
- Intended users: EMIS and ICT staff and officials with high-performance computing needs
Taxpayers and school administrations in Mpumalanga, already navigating tight budgets, have raised concerns about the optics and fiscal prudence of the purchase. For district officials and school managers, such episodes can erode confidence in the bureaucracy tasked with stretching limited resources to meet learners’ needs.
Numbers at a glance
| Item | Quantity | Approx. unit price | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dell XPS 16 laptops | 22 | R91,482.50 | R2,012,615 |
| Accessories & printer | Included | — | — |
Note: the total shown is an approximation derived from the reported unit price and quantity; the contract included additional accessories and an HP printer whose values were not disclosed.
What to watch next
The department has indicated further consequence management will follow where appropriate. Observers will be looking for the outcome of any internal reviews, whether the provincial treasury or the Auditor-General will scrutinise the procurement, and whether further administrative or criminal investigations are opened should any irregularities be uncovered.
For residents and school governing bodies in Mpumalanga, the episode underscores the importance of transparent procurement and the need for clear communication from provincial departments when large or unusual purchases are made from public funds. The acting CFO, appointed by the Office of the Premier, will be expected to stabilise finance operations while the province addresses outstanding accountability questions.
As the matter proceeds through internal and possible external review channels, the department has asked for patience and assured the public that it aims to protect the integrity of education spending across the province.
