MPUMALANGA PREMIER MANDLA NDLOVU EXPOSES R91K LAPTOP PROCUREMENT SCANDAL
Following an unsatisfactory response, Ndlovu ordered a full investigation by the Office of the Premier’s Integrity, Forensic Investigation and Security Management Directorate.
EZOMPHAKATHI
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has released the long-awaited findings of a forensic investigation into the Department of Education’s controversial procurement of 22 laptops, each costing the department R91 482.50, along with one HP printer.
Addressing the media, Premier Ndlovu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to clean and ethical governance, citing the investigation as a key step in promoting transparency. The probe was launched after a whistleblower tip-off on 15 February 2025, prompting the Premier to demand clarity from the Department. Following an unsatisfactory response, Ndlovu ordered a full investigation by the Office of the Premier’s Integrity, Forensic Investigation and Security Management Directorate.
MAJOR FINDINGS
The investigation uncovered serious irregularities, misrepresentation, and potential fraud in the procurement process:
Violation of Procurement Laws: The purchase did not comply with Section 217 of the Constitution or the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), and lacked fairness, competitiveness, and transparency.
Incorrect Laptops Delivered: Instead of the specified Dell XPS 15, cheaper models—Dell XPS 13 and 14—were delivered but still billed at premium prices.
Restricted Supplier Pool: The RFQ was sent only to suppliers in Mbombela and specified a brand instead of functionality, limiting competition.
Ignored Bid Committee Instructions: The Bid Adjudication Committee's directive to negotiate prices before issuing the order was not followed.
Unauthorised Specification Changes: Initial specifications were altered by an individual not authorised to do so.
Delivery Not According to Spec: The delivered products did not match the approved specifications, and the department still accepted them.
DECEPTIVE CONDUCT UNCOVERED
The Premier’s report also highlighted deliberate misrepresentation by both officials and the service provider:
The supplier knowingly misrepresented that it delivered the correct goods.
Officials falsely claimed that the process and goods met all requirements.
Outdated specifications from two years prior were used without proper review.
Officials under investigation conducted their own internal review, despite being implicated.
Both the Premier and the MEC were misled by departmental reports.
Legal and Policy Violations
Officials failed to comply with several legal frameworks:
PFMA (Sections 38 & 45)
Public Service Act (Sections 5 & 7)
SITA Procurement Guidelines (RFB 740-2020)
Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act
PREMIER NDLOVU’S RECOMMENDATIONS
Premier Ndlovu announced the following immediate actions:
Recover financial losses from the supplier.
Blacklist the supplier on National and Provincial Treasury registers.
Initiate disciplinary action against all implicated officials, including the HOD.
Conduct lifestyle reviews and audits of implicated personnel.
Launch a governance review of the Department of Education.
Appoint a Provincial Oversight Team to monitor ICT procurement for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Report possible criminal acts to the SAPS, including fraud, collusion, and corruption.
A Progress Report on the implementation of these recommendations will be published on 30 June 2025.