Mpumalanga cabinet reshuffle after laptop scandal
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu has reshuffled his cabinet, a move which he said was aimed at strengthening the government's response to service delivery challenges.
At the heart of the shake-up is the axing of Education MEC Cathy Dlamini, who has been criticised for the R2 million laptop saga in the Department of Education.
Earlier this year, an investigation report revealed that the procurement process was flawed when buying 22 laptops and a printer in December 2024.
Each laptop cost the department over R91,000.
Ndlovu briefed the media in Mbombela on Tuesday.
"As the executive authority, I have a duty to act in the best interest of good governance, efficient service delivery, and public trust.
"We have made several assessments in all our departments and realised that we need to make certain changes aimed at strengthening the work of government to address service delivery and a number of challenges confronting the province," he added.
Dlamini has been replaced by Lindi Masina, who was the Speaker of the Legislature.
Former Ehlanzeni District Municipality Mayor Jester Sidell has been appointed as the new MEC for Economic Development and Tourism.
Khethiwe Moeketsi has been moved from Social Development to Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs.
Nompumelelo Hlophe will head the Department of Social Development.
Meanwhile, ActionSA in Mpumalanga reacted to the shake-up and demanded an explanation from the premier on the reasons for the changes to his cabinet.
ActionSA MPL Thoko Mashiane said the reshuffle raises concerns over inconsistency in applying accountability.
"ActionSA therefore calls on Premier Ndlovu to clarify the criteria used in making these changes and to assure the public that cabinet decisions are guided by performance, accountability, and the need to build a capable state, not arbitrary or politically expedient motives."
ALSO READ:
