Mbombela, South Africa – April 25, 2025 – The Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in Mpumalanga is facing intense scrutiny and public backlash following the revelation that her department spent a staggering R2 million to purchase just 22 laptops. The exorbitant cost per unit – approximately R90,909 – has ignited fury among taxpayers, opposition parties, and civil society organizations, who are demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the procurement process.

 

Details of the controversial purchase emerged earlier this week, triggering widespread disbelief and accusations of gross mismanagement of public funds. While the exact specifications of the laptops remain unclear, critics argue that even high-end devices would not justify such an inflated price tag.

“This is simply unacceptable,” exclaimed Thabo Mbeki (no relation to the former president), a spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Ratepayers Association. “At a time when our schools are facing shortages of basic resources and many students lack access to proper facilities, it is unconscionable that such a massive amount of money could be squandered on a handful of laptops. Heads must roll.”

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Opposition parties have echoed these sentiments, calling for the immediate suspension of the MEC pending a full-scale investigation.

 

The Democratic Alliance (DA) released a statement condemning the purchase as “a blatant act of corruption and a slap in the face of hardworking Mpumalanga citizens.” They have vowed to table a motion of no confidence in the MEC and called on law enforcement agencies to probe the matter urgently.

 

Social media platforms have been flooded with angry reactions, with citizens expressing their outrage using hashtags like #LaptopGate and #MpumalangaLooting.

Many are questioning the transparency of the procurement process and demanding to know which company supplied the laptops and whether due diligence was followed to ensure value for money.

 

The Department of Education in Mpumalanga has yet to issue a comprehensive statement addressing the controversy.

 

Initial reports suggest that the MEC’s office claimed the laptops were “specialized” and necessary for a particular project. However, these explanations have been met with skepticism and calls for concrete evidence to justify the astronomical cost.

 

This incident comes at a sensitive time, with ongoing concerns about corruption and financial mismanagement within various government departments across South Africa. The Mpumalanga laptop scandal is likely to further erode public trust and intensify calls for greater transparency and accountability in public procurement processes.

 

Civil society groups are planning protests and demanding a detailed breakdown of the laptop specifications, the names of the suppliers, and the justification for the exorbitant expenditure. The pressure is mounting on the MEC to provide satisfactory answers and for authorities to ensure that those responsible for any wrongdoing are held accountable.

 

The saga is expected to unfold further in the coming days as more information comes to light and investigations potentially get underway.