One of the political parties that comprise the precarious KwaZulu-Natal government of provincial unity has written to Sipho Hlomuka, the ANC MEC for education, requesting that he rescind his decision to approve the hiring of a chief financial officer (CFO) at a time when he is being investigated for suspected corruption.
Sakhile Mngadi, a member of the provincial legislature representing the DA, informed Hlomuka that the appointment raises numerous ethical issues.
The department publicly announced on Tuesday that Yali Joyi would be hired as the chief guardian of Hlomuka’s finances.
The confirmation came after a period of intense secrecy surrounding the matter.
“I congratulate and wish her well in her new position as the CFO of the KZN education department,” Hlomuka said after Joyi accepted the offer.
Prima facie evidence of wrongdoing
Sunday World did, however, obtain information indicating that the department was close to hiring Joyi, but the department remained silent until she took up her post.
Joyi is the former CFO of the provincial department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs (CoGTA) led by Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi from the IFP.
In September 2024, CoGTA suspended Joyi and other officials after prima facie evidence of wrongdoing emerged.
A few months later, Joyi resigned, stating that her departure was not an admission of guilt but a necessary action due to the negative impact the matter was having on her health.
In a letter, Mngadi said the decision was troubling and asked Hlomuka to reconsider his decision to hire Joyi.
“As you are undoubtedly aware, Ms Joyi resigned in January 2025 from her position as chief financial officer in the department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs amid a forensic investigation into alleged financial misconduct and irregular procurement practices,” wrote Mngadi in a letter to Hlomuka.
“Her resignation, which occurred days before a scheduled disciplinary hearing, raises significant questions about the ethical prudence and procedural legality of her reappointment to a department that controls a significant portion of the provincial budget.”
He added that Joyi’s appointment is in direct conflict with several legal and constitutional frameworks governing how departments should make appointments.
Among them was the Public Finance Management Act, which states that individuals entrusted with financial responsibility must be competent and beyond reproach.
Gross undermining of public confidence
Mngadi also referenced the Public Administration Management Act and the Public Service Act, which mandate public servants to be individuals in good standing, free from unresolved allegations of misconduct.
“The redeployment of an individual under such a cloud, without any record of formal clearance or conclusion of investigations, constitutes an abuse of process and a gross undermining of public confidence in both your department and the provincial government as a whole.
“The DA views this appointment as a cynical attempt to shield a politically connected official from accountability while risking further reputational and financial damage to an already struggling department and to the government of provincial unity,” Mngadi added.
The National Professional Teachers’ Organisation of South Africa also raised concerns regarding the employment of Joyi, saying while she put the reasons for her resignation down to her health, the allegations against her were unfortunately not tested before her resignation and will stay with her unless she defends the allegations.
“The department must justify this appointment. The department is the biggest education department in the country with a large, complex budget,” the teachers’ union said.
“The integrity of any CFO must be beyond reproach; sadly, this is not the case with this appointment.”
