The Executive Council received a detailed presentation from the Public Protector of South Africa, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, on the outcomes of recent and current investigations and systemic findings relevant to the Mpumalanga Provincial Administration’s mandate.
The engagement provided EXCO with valuable insights into areas of strength by the Provincial Government as well as opportunities for improvement in governance, administrative justice, and service delivery.
The Public Protector highlighted some general trends and nature of complaints which relate to irregular procurement of service providers, undue delay in allocating RDP houses, incorrect allocations of RDP houses, as well as defective RDP houses. The Public Protector also cited failures by the Provincial Government to provide feedback to complainants, poor and incomplete infrastructure projects such as the roads, schools, RDP houses and unused and dilapidated government properties.
The Public Protector also pointed out that there were 75 complaints against the municipalities, which included the irregular appointments of officials. Some complaints evolved around the irregular billing for electricity and water, failure to supply drinking water to the residents, unresolved account disputes and failure to issue title deeds.
The Public Protector further raised the matters received from Traditional leaders, amongst others, the slow recognition of amakhosi and izinduna by the Government, and the lack of collaboration between Government and Traditional leaders.
The EXCO welcomed the candid and constructive nature of the briefing and reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating fully with the Office of the Public Protector and appreciated its role in strengthening constitutional democracy and protecting the rights of citizens.
EXCO has directed the Provincial Administration to prioritise the implementation of all remedial actions and ensure compliance by proactively engaging with the Public Protector’s Office. EXCO reiterated its commitment to ensuring that there is value for money in the delivery of the services.
EXCO further appreciated the Public Protector’s roadshow in the province and all areas visited to engage with the communities of Mpumalanga Province.
MPUMALANGA READINESS FOR 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
EXCO noted a progress report on the learner admission for the 2026 academic year, which showed that registrations opened from the beginning of May to August this year, and that there has been a steady increase in migration from rural to urban areas, making urban schools over-subscribed.
The pressure of admissions in the urban areas leads to a shortage of classrooms, and in some areas, there is a need for additional schools. There is a noticeable trend of learners applying for admission from outside the feeder zone.
EXCO was briefed about the refurbishment of various schools in the province. However, the report indicates the need to build new schools in the three districts, as well as the provision of temporary mobile classrooms as an intervention for inadequate space for learners.
EXCO received a briefing that textbooks have already been procured and that at least 70 per cent are already in the warehouse, and delivery is expected in December this year and January next year. Further, the retrieval of Grade 12 tablets is underway in preparation for redistribution to January 2026, whilst the Grade 10 tablets procurement is also underway for delivery in January 2026.
The Department of Education has issued a business process for filling teacher posts, and posts are filled promptly once vacant. The process in relation to substitute and temporary educator posts is done promptly to ensure that learners are not left without a teacher. All promotional teacher posts are handled using the management plan that is released together with captured applications. The department has compiled a comprehensive list of schools and learners to benefit from the scholar transport. EXCO welcomed the report and the assurance by the Department of the Province’s readiness for the 2026 academic year.
DEREGISTRATION OF THE MPUMALANGA INNOVATION HUB
The Executive Council approved the deregistration of the Mpumalanga Innovation Skills Hub (MISH) and incorporation of MISH functions into the Mpumalanga Regional Training Trust. The Mpumalanga Government took a decision in 2016 to establish MISH to address scarce and critical technical skills in priority economic sectors, aligning with the Province’s Vision 2030 to reduce unemployment, inequality, and poverty through skills development, enterprise incubation, and technological innovation.
The intention was to secure funding for MISH through the private sector, with a primary focus on the mining industry. The approach included a partnership arrangement with the Provincial Government. Mining companies would provide financial support linked to their social and labour plan obligations. The Provincial Government would support coordination, oversight, and alignment with provincial development priorities. The model was designed to ensure shared responsibility, reduce reliance on public funds, and align MISH outcomes by becoming a holding company. Due to a lack of support, funding didn’t come through from the private sector, hence the decision for its deregistration.
STATE LAND AVAILABILITY FOR SMALL-SCALE FARMERS IN MPUMALANGA
EXCO has given approval that 1,701 hectares be advertised and availed to small-scale farmers on lease basis, that 71 hectares be donated to Emalahleni Local Municipality and that the 287 hectares with caretakers or unlawful occupiers be co-used with the government for productive use.
This is in line with the Provincial Government’s vision to empower the small-scale farmers to utilise the unused land to effectively participate in the newly built Mpumalanga International Fresh Produce Market.
Mpumalanga Provincial Government has 2,276 hectares of land assets comprising 21 farms of various sizes, of which 75 per cent (1701ha) can be considered for lease to small-scale farmers, 13 per cent (287,47ha) can be co-used by government and farmers to optimise productive use of the land asset. There are also three (71,05ha) to be donated to municipalities for human settlements, and the remaining ten per cent (216,95ha), which is considered not suitable for traditional agriculture, will be reassessed for possible smart agriculture technologies.
APPOINTMENTS
EXCO has approved the following key appointments:
- Mr Mxolisi Mahlangu – Head of Department: Culture Sports and Recreation
- Ms Makhazasi Radebe Radebe – Head of Department: Social Development
- Mr Bhekizizwe Sydney Nkambule – Director: Partnerships (Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison)
- Ms Shereen Talita Marsh – Director: Police Oversight (Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison)
- Ms Thembi Florence Maluka – Director: Revenue Management (Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison)
EXCO is pleased that 60% of the appointments made are females, as an indication of the Province’s commitment to 50% women representation in the senior management of Mpumalanga Government.