The Hawks are investigating a senior national education department official and her husband, chairman of IT group Sizwe Africa, for payments allegedly related to a R537.4 million illegal contract for school tablets in the Eastern Cape. The contract's cost escalated from R160 million to R537.4 million, prompting calls for investigation from the Democratic Alliance and a ruling from the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) declaring it unlawful and invalid.
The Hawks are investigating a senior national education department official and her husband — the chairman of IT group Sizwe Africa — for their involvement in payments allegedly for an illegal contract to procure 55,000 tablets for schools in the Eastern Cape .At that time, the contract’s cost had already ballooned from R160 million to R404.8 million.
Subsequently, the contract’s estimated price increased to R537.4 million. The State Information Technology Agency found it unlawful and invalid as it had not been taken through the appropriate channels. The agency obtained a High Court order in October 2020 interdicting the provincial department from continuing with the tablet contract.The Hawks’ investigation is looking into the role of Dr Naledi Mbude-Mehana, who was head of the Eastern Cape Department of Education from March 2021 until May 2024, in negotiating payments to Sizwe Africa.
Despite leaving the Eastern Cape education department through an undisclosed settlement with Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, she was appointed as deputy director for special projects at the National Department of Basic Education in 2023., Mbude-Mehana denied any impropriety, alleging that it was part of an attempt to discredit her and undermine her consideration for a senior position in the national department.
HAWKS INVESTIGATION TABLET CONTRACT EASTERN CAPE ILLEGAL PROCUREMENT
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