The Mpumalanga Department of Education has fired its chief financial officer Thokozile Ntuli over the infamous procurement of 22 laptops invoiced at a staggering R91 482.50 each.
Education MEC Lindi Masina confirmed Ntuli’s dismissal before the provincial legislature’s portfolio committee on education on Wednesday, bringing another dramatic turn to a scandal that has haunted the department for more than a year.
The department spent R2,020,883.45 on the controversial procurement, which included 22 Dell laptops, accessories and a printer.http://Mpumalanga educationTablets, new schools boost Mpumalanga education driveTablets, new schools boost Mpumalanga education drive
At R91 482.50 for each laptop, the deal raised eyebrows and eventually triggered a forensic investigation ordered by Premier Mandla Ndlovu after a whistleblower raised the alarm.
“Following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process relating to the matter commonly referred to as the 22-laptop matter, the Departmental Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Thokozile Ntuli, has been relieved of her duties,” Masina told lawmakers.
Ntuli retains right to appeal
Masina said Ntuli retained the right to appeal or review the decision and consequently declined to discuss the merits of the disciplinary case.
The scandal first exploded after questions emerged over how taxpayers ended up footing the enormous bill.
The subsequent forensic investigation found procurement irregularities and recommended consequence management against officials involved.
Wrong laptops delivered
More damagingly, the machines delivered allegedly did not even correspond with those ordered. While the department had procured Dell XPS 15 laptops, investigators found that 20 XPS 13 machines and two XPS 14 laptops were delivered.
The scandal previously resulted in Education HOD Lucy Moyane being placed on precautionary suspension.
Read: Mpumalanga’s R2m laptops saga ends in written warning for education boss
Moyane, however, subsequently returned to work after receiving a warning and was sitting alongside Masina when the MEC announced Ntuli’s departure on Wednesday.
The case, therefore, produced sharply different consequences at the department’s upper reaches.
It also unfolded against a troubled history of financial management.
Former acting CFO Absalom Thela, who later became chief director for physical resources, his daughter Palesa and former acting HOD Jabulani Nkosi were previously arrested by the Hawks in a separate matter.
Department ‘strengthening its systems’
Masina said the department was now strengthening its systems following Ntuli’s departure.
The Office of the Premier has appointed Ndumiso Mokako as acting CFO.
“We welcome the Acting CFO and look forward to his contribution towards strengthening the financial management and administrative systems of the Department during this period,” Masina said.
She said an audit action plan was being implemented to address weaknesses and strengthen internal controls.
“We will continue to exercise greater vigilance over the management of public resources [and] strengthen consequence management where required,” Masina said.
- The Mpumalanga Department of Education fired its CFO Thokozile Ntuli over the procurement of 22 laptops invoiced at R91,482.50 each.
- The department spent R2,020,883.45 on 22 Dell laptops, accessories, and a printer, sparking a forensic investigation after a whistleblower raised concerns.
- The laptops delivered did not match the order; 20 Dell XPS 13 and 2 XPS 14 laptops were delivered instead of Dell XPS 15 laptops.
- Education HOD Lucy Moyane was placed on precautionary suspension over the scandal but returned to work after receiving a warning.
- The Office of the Premier appointed Ndumiso Mokako as acting CFO, and the department is implementing an audit action plan to strengthen financial controls.
