The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mpumalanga demands full transparency following the return to work of the suspended Head of Department (HOD) for Education, Ms Lucy Moyane, after she received only a written warning for her role in the controversial procurement of 22 laptops.
While the DA notes that the disciplinary process has been finalised, serious questions remain about how conduct involving millions of rand in irregular expenditure resulted in such a lenient sanction.
“The DA will formally write to the Premier’s Office requesting the full Forensic Investigation Report, as well as the minutes of the disciplinary hearing that led to the decision to issue a written warning instead of dismissal,” said Annerie Weber, MPL – DA Spokesperson on Education, Mpumalanga Province
In May last year, Premier Mandla Ndlovu suspended HOD Moyane and other senior officials in the Department of Education following a forensic investigation that uncovered gross procurement irregularities and alleged dishonesty linked to the laptop scandal that rocked Mpumalanga.
Ms Moyane was implicated in the procurement of 22 laptops that cost the department more than R2 million, at approximately R92 000 per laptop. She was also implicated in a separate scandal involving the alleged approval of over R2.1 million for the refurbishment of a guardhouse measuring less than three metres at the Department’s Ehlanzeni District offices in KaNyamazane, outside Mbombela.
On Thursday this week, Premier Ndlovu’s Office confirmed that Ms Moyane will return to work on 19 January 2026. The Premier stated that the disciplinary process found her guilty only of negligence, specifically for ignoring recommendations from the Bid Adjudication Committee (BAC), which ultimately led to the awarding of the laptop contract to BoTau Technologies.
According to the Premier, the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing recommended a written warning as an appropriate sanction. He further indicated that the Provincial Government has recovered 80% (R685 712) of the R855 712 claimed back from BoTau Technologies for the irregular laptop payment, with the outstanding R177 000 expected to be repaid by the end of January 2026.
The DA calls on Premier Ndlovu to provide a full update on the investigation into the alleged R2.1 million guardhouse refurbishment, as this matter appears to remain unresolved.
“We will also follow up at the end of January to verify whether the outstanding R177 000 has indeed been repaid, as stated by the Premier,” said Annerie Weber, MPL – DA Spokesperson on Education, Mpumalanga Province, “The DA will continue to conduct oversight to ensure that this level of negligence does not recur in any department or municipality. Consequence management must be a priority if government is to demonstrate accountability.”
Finally, the DA will pursue updates on the ongoing disciplinary processes against other departmental officials implicated in these matters. “We further demand action against officials who resigned before disciplinary hearings could be concluded. Public officials must not be allowed to evade accountability by resigning.”