Note to Editors: Please note Sakhile Mngadi, MPL sound bites in English and IsiZulu
– DA writes to Premier Thami Ntuli, requests recall of questionable CFO appointment
– CFO appointment will make it difficult for DA to support future DoE budgets
– MEC Hlomuka must be taken to task over questionable appointment.
The DA in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has written (view here) to Premier, Thami Ntuli, requesting urgent intervention and full disclosure following the troubling appointment of Ms Yali Joli as the new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) within the province’s Department of Education (DoE).
We have requested that Premier Ntuli initiate a full investigation into the appointment process, including a review of all documentation that informed this decision, and respond within fourteen (14) days.
Joli, the former KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) CFO, resigned while under investigation for serious allegations of corruption and maladministration.
Her resignation before the investigation was concluded rendered the matter ab initio inconclusive, yet her appointment to a new role – involving KZN’s largest departmental budget – has been pushed through without public accountability or transparency.
Despite the DA raising these concerns and calling on Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, to reverse the appointment within five working days, no action has been taken to date.
It is untenable that an individual with unresolved allegations of financial misconduct should now be in charge of billions of rands meant for learners, infrastructure and critical school services. This sets a reckless and dangerous precedent.
It is now clear that MEC Hlomuka is either unwilling or unable to act. Given this, the DA has escalated the matter to the Office of the Premier.
The DA will also prepare a motion to summon MEC Hlomuka and senior Education officials to appear before the provincial legislature’s Education portfolio committee. Should these political avenues fail to bring accountability, we will not hesitate to escalate the matter legally and/or refer it to the Public Service Commission.
This is not just a staffing issue – it is about defending the integrity of education funding in KZN. As a partner in the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) the DA cannot, in good conscience, support this department’s budget if it remains under the custodianship of compromised individuals. The GPU must now act swiftly and transparently. The future of our learners depends on it.