Suspended Mpumalanga HOD for Culture, Sport and Recreation, Godfrey Ntombela, claims his suspension is linked to “unfounded” suspicions that he sabotaged Premier Mandla Ndlovu during the 2025 Metro FM Awards.
The drama unfolded at the 19th Metro FM Music Awards held at Mbombela Stadium in early May.
During the event, Premier Ndlovu stumbled while presenting the Song of the Year award due to a teleprompter malfunction.
He was heard saying, “No, there is a problem,” and “I don’t understand what they are writing there.”
The premier attempted to recover with improvised remarks but was eventually played off stage when the issue wasn’t resolved.
Event had many tech blunders
The technical blunder was just one of many.
Critics slammed the event for poor sound, botched stage cues, and clumsy camera work.
Social media exploded with clips of the premier’s awkward moment, sparking ridicule and calls for better event management.
On Thursday, Ntombela held a press briefing in Mbombela where he confirmed his suspension, which took effect on Tuesday.
According to the Office of the Premier, the suspension was a precautionary measure tied to the implementation of SIU recommendations.
These relate to mismanagement of Covid-19 funds in the department.
The suspension also coincides with that of provincial education HOD Lucy Moyane, who is entangled in the R2-million laptop saga.
Mpumalanga cabinet spokesperson Thulasizwe Thomo said both officials were suspended pending the finalisation of their cases.
“In the meantime, acting heads of department have been appointed,” Thomo added.
‘Premier has long wanted me out’
However, Ntombela insists the premier has had it in for him from day one.
“We are not here for war, but to set the record straight and demand fairness and justice,” he said.
He described the suspension as “deeply flawed” and “unjust”.
He claims the hostility began when he returned from hospitalisation shortly after Ndlovu became premier.
“Since the premier ascended to the highest office, I’ve been under consistent threat of suspension or termination,” Ntombela said.
And he alleges Ndlovu was unhappy that former premier Refilwe Mtshweni extended his contract to 2027.
“He continued to seek advice on the validity of the contract and ways in which he could terminate it,” said Ntombela.
He also questioned the SIU report that led to his suspension.
Defends allegations against him
While he acknowledges responsibility as accounting officer, he said he acted on flagged transactions by issuing final written warnings to guilty officials.
He defended a controversial decision to fumigate libraries during Covid-19. Ntombela added that it followed strict national regulations when then education Minister Angie Motshekga decided to reopen schools.
“I’m innocent of the allegations. These actions against me are based on misinterpretation and a lack of due process,” he said.
“Being silent is an admission of guilt. Rumours of my suspension have been swirling in Mbombela. Politicians must stop dragging us into personal matters.”
He said he received calls from ministers after announcing his press briefing.
“I can’t just allow accusations to be made and I keep silent. Being silent is an admission of guilt. The rumours of my pending suspension have been making rounds in the city (of Mbombela). It’s wrong for politicians to just drag us into personal things that we don’t know,” he said.
Unfairly blamed for awards blunder
“We can’t be quiet when our names are being dragged through the mud. It’s the first time that an HOD holds a press conference to defend himself. I got many calls from six o’ clock in the morning, even from ministers, asking me, ‘Ntombela, are you sure about this thing?’ I said I’m certain about this, and I’m gonna do it, and I’m gonna save some of you.”
Then came the bombshell.
Ntombela linked his suspension to the Metro FM Awards disaster, blaming SABC technical staff for the autocue malfunction.
“I’m not the one who was scrolling that thing at the Mbombela Stadium. It’s called an autocue. I’m not the one who was scrolling there. It’s the SABC. We provide you with the script, and I signed it off. It was on a Thursday, I won’t forget.
Premier did not rehearse
“You are supposed to come and rehearse, Friday and Saturday, right? You did not come. There we were briefed, to say, ‘Look, as you want to come to the stage, it’s better to go and rehearse. Rehearsal is very important. If Rebecca Malope was able to rehearse, then what’s wrong with you?” he said.
Ntombela said he always advises politicians to avoid autocue. However, they don’t take his advice seriously.
“Avoid it at all costs, but practice your script. Your script is less than a minute. Just a few seconds. When you take this mic. There are technicians behind the scenes. White professionals. I don’t know them. They are running with the script. By the time you say other things, and suddenly, you want to be mad at me? Aowa.
“Politically, they think that I might have orchestrated that. No. I’m not in control of the SABC. I’m not a technician. Some went and said ‘You got into this trouble because of this man’. It’s not true,” he said.
Provincial government spokesperson George Mthethwa did not immediately respond to a media enquiry on the matter.
His response will be added once it has been received.
