By Lungile Ntimba
Mpumalanga education department officials, including HOD Lucy Moyane, will face disciplinary action following a forensic investigation which uncovered serious procurement irregularities in a laptop deal.
In December last year, the department spent R2 million on 22 office laptops, with each costing R91,482.50.
According to the investigation, eight officials allegedly misrepresented procurement processes, manipulated specifications and approved the delivery of laptops that did not meet the agreed requirements.
Premier Mandla Ndlovu, who instituted the probe, told reporters on Monday that all implicated officials would face charges under the Public Service Act, Public Service Regulations, the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and other applicable statutes.
“Officials of the department misrepresented that the amount paid was correct, due and payable to the supplier, when in fact the amount paid was for laptops of inferior quality than those ordered,” Ndlovu said.
“Officials misrepresented that the specification they developed was in accordance with user requirements when, in fact, they used a specification which was developed two years ago and not reviewed for the current procurement.”
Market comparison revealed that the laptops, charged at R91,482.50 each, had a market value as low as R59,200, indicating gross overpayment.
“The supplier misrepresented to the department that it supplied the goods as per the award when it knew that the laptops supplied were not in accordance with the specification,” Ndlovu said.
He emphasised the government’s commitment to recovering all financial losses incurred as a result of the procurement deal.
He said the supplier would be blacklisted on the National and Provincial Treasury Registers for Tender Defaulters, and the matter will be reported to State Information Technology Agency for further action.
The premier said lifestyle reviews, which may lead to full lifestyle audits, would be conducted on all implicated officials. There would also be a broader governance review of the department.
The matter would also be referred to the SA Police Service for investigation into possible criminal offences including fraud, corruption, bribery and collusion under the PFMA and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
During the briefing, Ndlovu accused officials of acting in a dishonest manner, which had become apparent through the probe.
“They failed to make a full disclosure of their involvement and provided incorrect information during the departmental investigation,” he alleged.
“They misled both the premier and the MEC by providing inaccurate information during the departmental investigation.”
Ndlovu said a progress report would be made available on the implementation of all the recommendations by the end of June.
INSIDE EDUCATION
