R2 Million for 22 Laptops: Mpumalanga Education Under Fire, MEC Says ‘Not Me’

The Mpumalanga Department of Education is facing intense scrutiny after revealing it spent more than R2 million on 22 high-end laptops—raising eyebrows over the nearly R91,500 cost per device. The purchase, made in December 2024, has sparked a wave of public concern, with critics questioning the need for such expensive equipment.

Amid the growing outcry, Education MEC Catherine Dlamini has strongly denied any link to the procurement, saying she neither received one of the laptops nor played any role in the purchasing process.

Dlamini says she’s using a second-hand laptop

During a recent Q&A in the provincial legislature, MEC Dlamini disclosed that she is still using a second-hand laptop she received upon joining the department in July 2024. She explained this was a deliberate choice in light of budget constraints.

According to the department, the high price tag was due to the need for powerful specifications required by EMIS and ICT staff. These teams manage complex digital systems across the province’s schools and are responsible for tasks such as network troubleshooting, Active Directory support, user account management, and email system configuration.

Public pressure mounts as answers remain vague

Despite issuing a public statement, the department has not disclosed details about the laptop brand, installed software, or the supplier. Dlamini was also unable to confirm which features justified the high cost, though she promised a full written response once all the information is available.

Civil society group AfriForum has requested formal clarity, saying the public deserves transparency on how taxpayer money is being spent.

Department denies MEC involvement

In its official response, the department stressed that the MEC had no role in the procurement.

“It must be emphasised that the MEC was not involved in the procurement process at any stage, nor did she receive any of the laptops in question,” the department said. “To implicate her or her office in this matter is both misleading and unjust.”

With public pressure growing, the department is now facing calls to release full procurement details, including the supplier’s identity and the list of employees who received the laptops.

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Sourced:IOL