Thokozile Ntuli, CFO of Mpumalanga Education Department, Fired Due to Inflated Laptop Costs

Johannesburg – Thokozile Ntuli, the Chief Financial Officer of the Mpumalanga Department of Education, has been terminated from her position after approving the purchase of 22 laptops that cost more than R92,000 each.

Her dismissal came in the wake of disciplinary proceedings.

Ntuli’s removal was associated with the excessively priced laptops acquired by the province’s education department in December 2024.

On Tuesday, 18 August 2026, AfriForum commented on the matter, expressing that it “welcomes” Ntuli’s ousting as the Chief Financial Officer of the Mpumalanga Department of Education.

In February 2025, an anonymous whistleblower alerted AfriForum to the department’s procurement of 22 laptops at nearly R91,482 each, totaling close to R2 million.

These costs were significantly above the market rates.

Subsequently, AfriForum submitted a PAIA request to the Mpumalanga Department of Education regarding the situation.

In May 2025, the Premier of the province presented a report outlining the financial mismanagement and assured that disciplinary actions would be taken against those accountable.

RELATED: R2 Million for 22 Laptops: Mpumalanga Premier Ndlovu Initiates Probe Into Purchase – The Bulrushes

Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, remarked that the financial misconduct of education officials is unacceptable.

“This undermines the future of our youth and negatively impacts our education system, which is already struggling with critically low performance levels,” Bailey stated.

“AfriForum hopes that Ntuli’s dismissal will act as a strong reminder for other officials about the importance of ethical spending and accountability.”

AfriForum also expressed satisfaction that, in addition to the disciplinary actions against those involved, the department has successfully recovered nearly 80% of the amount paid to the laptop supplier.

Moreover, the department has initiated and executed an audit action plan that includes specific, measurable steps to enhance internal control processes.

AfriForum called for a comprehensive review of the recent tender procedures within the department to ensure that if other purchases were made at similarly inflated prices, recovery actions could be pursued, and the involved service providers may be blacklisted.

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