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Despite several attempts to stop you from your miseries, [Education MEC Cathy Dlamini’s] requests have been turned down. Until now, you still continue to bash, harass and annoy our client [and] that totally destroys her peace and reputation as a public official. - Phosa Loots Incorporated

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Sizwe sama Yende

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Beleaguered Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini’s lawyers have served provincial EFF leader Collen Sedibe with legal papers demanding that he takes down all defamatory social posts claiming the MEC was corrupt.

Sedibe has launched a social media onslaught against Dlamini since last year after Premier Mandla Ndlovu appointed her into cabinet.

He started with accusing Dlamini of interfering with the supply chain management process of appointing an ICT company for the department and posted photos of the MEC meeting another ICT service provider.

Lately, he had accused Dlamini of having been personally responsible for the purchase of 22 laptops worth about R2 million – with each laptop costing an exorbitant R91 000.

Sedibe implied that Dlamini transferred the department’s supply chain officials to other units to manipulate and sway the awarding of tenders.

On the contrary, Dlamini has been seen to be cleaning up the department which has been a battleground among service providers fighting for lucrative tenders such as the R1.2 billion school feeding scheme. Tenders have allegedly been awarded to service providers who were in cahoots with certain officials in the department.

Since Dlamini joined the department, the Select Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) has investigated flouting of tender processes in renovation of a small guardhouse for over R1 million in Ehlanzeni region, the outcomes of which were adverse, proving that the department’s awarding of tenders was suspect.

Sedibe posted the letter of demand from Phosa Loots Incorporated on his Facebook page and laughed it off.

“I’m not going to remove the posts nor apologise for exposing corruption. Never. That’s my work as an EFF public representative that’s what the people voted us for and no lawyers will stop us from doing our work,” Sedibe said.

The letter indicated that Sedibe has been posting “malicious, baseless and unfounded accusations” stemming from January 24 2025.

“You have personally stated willfully false and misleading posts regarding our client and they are defamatory per se in that they depict our client as engaging in fraudulent and corrupt activities that violate civil and criminal laws. Despite several attempts to stop you from your miseries, her requests have been turned down. Until now, you still continue to bash, harass and annoy our client [and] that totally destroys her peace and reputation as a public official.”

Dlamini’s lawyers warn Sedibe that they will pursue both criminal and civil action if Sedibe does not take down the posts and apologise on his social media platforms.

“We trust that you will give this matter your prompt and preferential attention to avoid the expense, inconvenience of litigation and from being further exposed to violation of our laws.”

Meanwhile, Ndlovu is expected to release the outcome of his investigation into the purchase of the laptops anytime from now after announcing last week that it had been completed.

Education head of department, Lucy Moyane, took annual leave last week. The department denied that it was a suspension as many people believed.

Dlamini’s future is uncertain following the scandal. She may be fired depending on how Ndlovu views the matter.

Dlamini’s sympathisers have turned the tables on Sedibe by launching their own onslaught after his alleged relationship with service providers and personal possessions were widely distributed.

Sedibe has been accused of living in a multimillion-rand estate in Mbombela and owning a R6-million Mercedes G63 Brabus, a R2-million Range Rover, and a R2-million Mercedes Viano. All these possessions proved that Sedibe lived beyond his means, they said.

“Knowing that he can never govern government through a popular and democratic vote, this thorny red hand seeks to grab tenders by blackmailing and extorting elected members of government,” reads part of the information that was distributed.

Sedibe responded on his Facebook account, claiming that he worked hard for everything he had.

Dlamini has told a national TV station that she initiated an investigation herself before the Integrity Management Unit took up the matter. She said she did not understand the reasons she was being implicated in procurement processes as she was not involved.

Dlamini said that she would not allow the department to be captured and would continue to fight corruption.

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