Mpumalanga Education CFO Fired Over R2 Million Laptop Scandal, South Africans Want Arrests

• The Mpumalanga Department of Education has taken action against Chief Financial Officer Thokozile Ntuli
• Education MEC Lindi Masina noted that the action was taken in relation to the R2 million laptop scandal
• South Africans took to social media to weigh in on the department's decision against Ntuli, calling for more to be done

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

MPUMALANGA - The Mpumalanga Department of Education has dismissed its Chief Financial Officer over the now-infamous laptop scandal.

Thokozile Ntuli was fired following a disciplinary process tied to a controversial laptop procurement that drew public outrage and prompted a formal forensic investigation.

An investigation was launched following the procurement of 22 laptops and a printer, which cost the department over R2 million. Each laptop cost approximately R92,000.

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Education MEC confirms Ntuli’s dismissal

During the Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Education sitting on Wednesday, 13 August 2026, Education Member of the Executive Committee (MEC) Lindi Masina announced that Ntuli was fired.

"Following the conclusion of an internal disciplinary process relating to the matter commonly referred to as the 22-laptop matter, the Departmental Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Thokozile Ntuli, has been relieved of her duties," Masina told lawmakers.

Masina also indicated that said Ntuli retained the right to appeal or review the decision and consequently declined to discuss the merits of the disciplinary case.

How the laptop scandal unfolded

The procurement in question involved 22 Dell laptops, accessories and a printer, with the total bill to taxpayers reaching R2,020,883.45.

Each laptop was invoiced at R91,482.50, a figure that drew immediate scrutiny when it came to light. A whistleblower raised the alarm, prompting Premier Mandla Ndlovu to commission a forensic investigation into the deal.

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That investigation identified procurement irregularities and recommended that consequence management be applied to the officials responsible. Lucy Moyane, the province’s Education Head of Department, was also originally suspended following the investigation into the scandal.

South Africans angry over lack of prosecution

Ntuli’s dismissal drew swift reaction on social media, with many South Africans expressing frustration that no criminal charges have followed.

Mandla H. Ncayiyana asked:

"What about prosecution?"

Moowzee Mzee Muzi Maluka wrote:

"Fired, not arrested. Wow."

Dumisani Emmanuel Mdaka said:

"They never arrest. They only fire them, only for them to be employed somewhere else and continue with the stealing."

Henry Claasen questioned:

"What about a stay at Kgosi Mampuru?"

Mpho William Mofokeng said:

“Now we are getting somewhere. What's left is to freeze her pension.”

Zakhele Kunene added:

“Thank you, and take her pension.”

Investigation finds that supplier knowingly overcharged department

Briefly News reported that Ndlovu released the findings of an investigation into R2 million spent on 22 laptops.

The investigation found that the supplier knowingly provided the department with lower-spec laptops and overcharged them.

South Africans reacted to the findings, but didn’t believe that anyone would be punished for the scandal.

Source: Briefly News