The Mpumalanga Department of Education is under public scrutiny after it admitted to spending just over R2 million on 22 laptops, each costing close to R91 500, for a select group of employees in December 2024.
The laptops, described by the department as ‘high-performance machines,’ were acquired for use by the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) teams — units responsible for managing tech infrastructure, troubleshooting, and maintaining digital support for schools across the province, as reported by IOL.
Despite outrage over the eye-watering expense, the department insists the purchase was necessary, citing the team’s need for advanced hardware to handle resource-heavy systems. Their day-to-day tasks reportedly include overseeing Office 365 accounts, configuring multi-factor authentication, and resolving connectivity issues across schools and district offices.
However, the massive price tag has raised more questions than answers, especially as details around the supplier, software specifications, and the recipients of the devices remain concealed.
One name that quickly entered the public debate was that of Education MEC Catherine Dlamini. But the department issued a firm denial that she had any involvement in the procurement, adding that she did not receive any of the laptops.
In a recent session of the provincial legislature, Catherine revealed that she still uses a second-hand laptop she received when she assumed office in July 2024. She said she deliberately opted not to upgrade in order to reduce departmental costs.
Civil society group AfriForum has since entered the fray, requesting official clarification and more transparency around the procurement, including the supplier’s identity and a breakdown of the specifications that supposedly justify the high cost per device.
When pressed for technical details, Catherine could not name the brand of the laptops or describe the software that may have inflated the price. She promised to provide a detailed written response once the information is gathered from relevant officials.
Meanwhile, the department has gone quiet on further disclosures, fuelling suspicion and leaving taxpayers demanding answers.
Calls for an independent investigation are mounting as concerns grow over how the department, which routinely cites budget constraints, could justify an R2 million spend on less than two dozen machines.
First published by: Cape Town Etc
Words compiled by: Aiden Dairies
Also see: The EFF and DA join forces in court to halt VAT increase
