Department of Education in Mpumalanga Faces Backlash for Spending R2 Million on 22 New Laptops for Staff Despite Growing Budget Concerns

In a move that has sparked debate, the Department of Education in Mpumalanga recently revealed that it spent a substantial R2 million on purchasing 22 new laptops for its staff.

The announcement came from Landulile Dlamini, the MEC of Education in the province, during a session at the provincial legislature this week.

The Breakdown of the Laptop Purchase

Dlamini shared that each laptop cost R91,482.50, adding up to a total of R2,012,615.00 for the 22 devices.

However, the final cost came to R2,020,883.45, bringing the average price per laptop to R91,858.34.

This discrepancy of R8,268.48 raised some questions regarding the calculations.

Accusations of Personal Benefit

EFF MP Ntsako Precious Mkhabela questioned whether Dlamini herself had received one of the expensive laptops.

Dlamini quickly denied these claims, explaining that she still uses the second-hand laptop provided to her when she first joined the department.

When asked about the brand and software included with the laptops, Dlamini promised to provide further details in writing.

She did confirm that the laptops were purchased through the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) contract, which is a government service provider for IT products and services.

Concerns Over the Mkhondo Boarding School Delay

In other news from the province, the much-anticipated Mkhondo Boarding School has yet to open, despite promises from the Premier, Mandla Ndlovu, that it would be ready by the second term.

The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) has remained silent on the exact completion date, and many are growing concerned.

MEC Thulasizwe Thomo visited the construction site in March 2025, assuring the public that progress was being made.

He mentioned that the team was working tirelessly to finish the remaining work, stressing that they were pushing ahead with full determination.

However, the school, which was initially slated for completion in just over a year, has now been under construction for six years.

The project’s budget, originally set at R200 million, has faced numerous delays, including setbacks due to the Covid-19 lockdown and limited funding.

Ongoing Issues and Accountability

The delayed opening of Mkhondo Boarding School raises questions about the province’s management of public projects and funding.

Meanwhile, the expenditure on laptops by the Department of Education has ignited further debate over the prioritization of resources in the face of other pressing needs in the region.

What are your thoughts on the R2 million laptop purchase by the Department of Education in Mpumalanga? Share your opinion by commenting below or reaching out via WhatsApp.