Are DA ministers being sabotaged? Sadtu slams Geordin Hill-Lewis

Geordin Hill-Lewis delivers his speech at Gallagher Convention centre in Midrand on the first day of DA Federal Congress 2026 on 10 April 2026. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/The Citizen The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) has slammed DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis for accusing senior officials at the Department of Basic Education of sabotaging Minister Siviwe Gwarube. Gwarube was appointed basic education minister by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024, but has not had a smooth period as political head of that department.

She recently came under fire after irregularities were discovered in a R1.6 billion textbook tender. This came after Lighthouse Publishers (Pty) Ltd, one of the companies that had gotten a lion’s share of the tender, R285 million, was awarded the tender despite being registered just three days after the contract briefing. As a minister from the DA, Gwarube was criticised for the incident, especially because the party she represents prides itself on good governance and oversight.

Hill-Lewis toldNewzroom Afrikaon Monday that Gwarube is not to blame for most of the problems in her department. Instead, he said she is being sabotaged by senior officials whom he suggested could have links to the ANC. “There is just a relentless campaign to try and stop and stumble any meaningful reform if that reform means proper accountability for those who have failed public education and the millions of children in this country who have not received the standard of education that they are deserving of and are entitled to for so many years.

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“They are very resistant, those people, very resistant to major reform of the system, and there is definitely a campaign against the minister.” The Citizenhad approached both the ANC and the Department of Basic Education for comment. Their responses will be published once they are received. Hill-Lewis also alleged senior officials had leaked confidential internal information within the department. “The public must be aware that these ministers have unbelievably tough jobs to turn around rotten and broken institutions, very often from the ground up, and that is going to be a tough fight.” Hill-Lewis blamed officials for the recent textbook tender scandal.

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