- The DA demands the reversal of Yali Joli’s KZN Education appointment after her COGTA resignation amid a corruption probe.
- MEC Hlomuka has 5 working days to act or face legal, political, and constitutional consequences.
- If not reversed, the DA will escalate to the Premier, PSC, Public Protector, and Minister of Education.
Note to media: find Soundbite by Sakhile Mngadi MPL in English (here) and isiZulu (here)
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has written to Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka, demanding the immediate reversal of the intended appointment of Ms. Yali Joli, the former Chief Financial Officer of COGTA, who resigned earlier this year while facing serious allegations of corruption and maladministration. (See here)
A letter dated 25 May 2025, (see here) signed by MEC Hlomuka, confirms the offer of appointment.
Should the MEC fail to act within five working days, the DA will escalate the matter to Premier Thami Ntuli and lodge formal complaints with the Public Service Commission and the Public Protector, while also exploring legal remedies under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA).
Ms. Joli resigned from COGTA just days before facing a disciplinary hearing, amid an ongoing forensic investigation into alleged irregular procurement and financial misconduct. Instead of being held accountable, she is now being rewarded with a new position in the Department of Education, a department already plagued by poor financial controls, mismanagement, and a string of adverse audit outcomes. This appointment represents a blatant act of cadre deployment, political shielding, and a betrayal of public trust.
The move violates multiple legislative and constitutional provisions, including Section 195 of the Constitution, which upholds transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in public administration. It also undermines the Public Finance Management Act and the Public Service Act, both of which disqualify individuals with unresolved allegations of financial misconduct. The Public Administration Management Act is similarly ignored, as it requires merit-based and ethically sound appointments.
This appointment sends a dangerous signal that misconduct is tolerated and even rewarded if one enjoys political protection. At a time when the education department is facing critical governance challenges, including weak infrastructure delivery and ongoing safety concerns in schools, installing an allegedly tainted official in a key role is not only irresponsible but damaging to the credibility of the entire administration.
The DA, as part of the GPU, demands full disclosure of all documents related to Ms. Joli’s vetting and appointment, to be tabled before the Education Portfolio Committee. If MEC Hlomuka fails to act, he will be complicit in undermining good governance and must face political and legal consequences. KwaZulu-Natal cannot afford the continued recycling of compromised officials. An ethical, capable state begins with accountability, not cadre protection.