Officials implicated in R2m Mpumalanga guardhouse scandal may avoid punishment

The Mpumalanga department of education incurred irregular expenditure by hiring two companies to refurbish a guardhouse and fences at the department’s Ehlanzeni district offices in KaNyamazane outside Mbombela. Picture: Supplied The Mpumalanga department of education officials linked to a project in which the department spent more than R2 million renovating a toilet-sized guardhouse and its fence might walk away unpunished, according to experts. They were reacting to the recently released forensic report by Rakoma and Associates Incorporated, which revealed that around 2024, the department incurred irregular expenditure by hiring two companies to refurbish a guardhouse and fences at the department’s Ehlanzeni district offices in KaNyamazane outside Mbombela.

The investigation was commissioned by premier Mandla Ndlovu after it came to light that the department allegedly signed off on R2.1 million for the project. It is not clear why the department was only ordered to recover about R200 000 of the expenditure. According to the report, a R66 987 overpayment should be recovered from Mhlotini Trading, while a R127 746 overpayment should be recovered from Indumane Trading.

Mhlotini Trading was appointed to do renovations of the guardhouse and installation of a perimeter fence at a total cost of R993 519, while Indumane Trading was appointed at a total cost of R956 535 to install more perimeter fencing, the report said. “The deliberate split of the tender resulted in the irregular appointments of two service providers,” the report said. The split of the contract is said to be in contravention of the Public Finance Management Act supply chain management (SCM) instruction No2 of 2021-22, and Section 6.5.4.2 of the department of education revised SCM policy dated 6 February 2023.

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Department spokesperson Jasper Zwane toldThe Citizenthat the department has welcomed the conclusion of the forensic investigation. “The report provided an opportunity to thoroughly examine the matter, establish the facts, and bring closure to concerns that were raised. The department remains committed to the principles of ethical governance, transparency, accountability and responsible use of public resources.” Zwane said the report’s findings and recommendations serve as an important mechanism to strengthen internal controls, improve compliance processes, and enhance public confidence.

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