The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) calls for an urgent, independent forensic investigation following the circulation of a video clip, in which the Department of Education (DoE) Umlazi District Director appears to make serious allegations against her husband, departmental spokesperson, Muzi Mahlambi.
In the video, the District Director alleges that Mr Mahlambi has been involved in the sale of educator posts, soliciting sexual favours in exchange for employment opportunities and other corrupt practices.
These allegations are extremely serious. While the DA is not making a finding of guilt against any individual, the allegations, the identity of the person making them and their potential implications for the DoE’s integrity demand an immediate and independent forensic investigation.
In the event that the allegations prove to be true, they would expose a shocking betrayal of aspiring educators, many of whom have spent years seeking employment through what they believed to be fair and transparent processes. Allegations that teaching posts may have been sold or exchanged for sexual exploitation strike at the very heart of public confidence in the department.
The DA has written to KZN Education MEC, Sipho Hlomuka, (view here) to request that he urgently initiate an independent forensic investigation. We have also requested that he ensure that all evidence – including the video and any supporting information – be properly preserved and examined.
Should criminal conduct be identified, the matter must be referred to the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) without delay.
KZN’s people deserve an education system where appointments are based on merit, not corruption, patronage or exploitation.
These allegations are too serious to be met with silence. As a responsible partner within KZN’s Government of Provincial Unity (GPU), the DA will work to ensure that the DoE provides every unemployed educator, every learner and every taxpayer a transparent accounting of the truth.