R2 million laptop saga triggers disciplinary action in Mpumalanga education department
All implicated officials will be disciplined after the department paid more than R91 000 each for 22 laptops, violating procurement rules.
All Mpumalanga Department of Education officials, including the head of the department, will face disciplinary action for the irregular procurement of 22 laptops for a staggering R2 million.
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu released the much-anticipated findings of an investigation into the so-called Mpumalanga laptop saga on Monday morning.
The Department of Education purchased 22 laptops and a printer for R2 million, which means each laptop cost over R91,482.50, well above the market price.
22 laptops for R2 million
The premier instituted an investigation at the beginning of April 2025 to gather facts after a whistleblower first alerted Ndlovu of the matter on 15 February.
'After receiving an unsatisfactory response from the department, I then instructed the Chief Directorate: Integrity, Forensic Investigation and Security Management within the office of the premier to conduct an investigation into the procurement of the 22 laptops by the education department at a cost of R91 482.50 each,' he said during a media briefing.
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Based on the information they gathered, the interviews they conducted, and the supporting documentation, the provincial government concluded that officials had materially flawed the procurement process.
The investigation revealed that departmental officials irregularly specified a particular brand and locality for laptop procurement, limiting supplier responses.
They accepted non-compliant laptops with varied specifications without a proper process and didn't negotiate a lesser price, resulting in overpayment.
Laptop procurement process flawed
The investigation also revealed that the process involved misrepresentation and possible fraud. The supplier and department officials misrepresented various aspects of the laptop procurement process, including compliance with specifications, procurement procedures, and payment amounts, leading to improper payments for inferior goods.
Ndlovu said department officials acted dishonestly by investigating a matter in which they were implicated, hiding their involvement, providing false information, and misleading senior leaders, including the MEC, by providing inaccurate information.
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The service provider also acted in a grossly dishonest manner when attempting to cover up its failure to comply with the agreed specifications.
The department hired a service provider to supply 22 Dell XPS 15 laptops and 1 HP printer for R2 020 883.45. A market scan showed Dell XPS 16 laptops are the most expensive, and Dell XPS 13 laptops are the least expensive.
The investigation revealed that departmental officials — including those who approved the procurement and served on the relevant committees — failed to comply with the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) guidelines for procuring IT equipment.
Dept officials and service provider 'acted dishonestly'
The officials also violated sections of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) concerning financial management and internal controls, ignored Public Service Act provisions for correcting errors, and potentially breached the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act by enabling a service provider to defraud the department.
The Office of the Premier recommended that the department recover financial losses from the service provider, blacklist the provider, discipline implicated officials, and conduct lifestyle audits on those officials.
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A governance review will assess the department's governance and accountability arrangements, compliance with regulations, and reporting quality.
The premier said a provincial team will be established to identify and enhance weak internal controls in ICT procurement and monitor compliance with ICT procurement regulations.
Progress report on 30 June
The premier's office will release a progress report on 30 June, detailing the implementation of all the recommendations derived from this investigation report.
'I want to assure the people of Mpumalanga and the country that this government is committed to clean, ethical and transparent governance,' Ndlovu said.
Watch Premier Ndlovu release the findings of the investigation here:
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