![Former Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini accepts her axing in the latest Mpumalanga Cabinet Reshuffle. [@Mpumalanga Department of Education/Facebook]](https://www.thepostnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/514255355_1147645057409814_6923128616119764538_n.jpg)
Former Mpumalanga education MEC Cathy Dlamini accepts her axing in the latest Mpumalanga Cabinet Reshuffle. [@Mpumalanga Department of Education/Facebook]
(The Post News)- Former Mpumalanga Education MEC Cathy Dlamini has spoken out in defence of her tenure since her removal from Premier Mandla Ndlovu’s executive council in a surprising Mpumalanga Cabinet Reshuffle on Tuesday.
Dlamini was one of three high-ranking officials dismissed in a surprising cabinet reshuffle that Ndlovu said was necessary to restore good governance and improve service delivery. Alongside Dlamini, Tourism MEC Makhosazane Masilela and Godfrey Ntombela, Head of the Department for Sports, Culture and Recreation, were also removed from their positions.
This move came after the Mpumalanga Education Department was involved in a R2 million laptop scandal in December 2024, where the Department of Education was criticised following the purchase of 22 laptops and a printer at over R91,000 per laptop. Ntombela had also had his scandals, where he was previously suspended over allegations of irregular procurement practices and mismanagement related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Premier Ndlovu, during a media briefing in Mbombela, said the reshuffle followed extensive departmental assessments and was the best decision to ensure proper governance in Mpumalanga. He adds, “As the executive authority, I have a duty to act in the best interest of good governance, efficient service delivery, and public trust.”
In a statement seen by Sunday World, Dlamini welcomed Ndlovu’s decision and defended her short tenure, describing it as “the building blocks” toward improving Mpumalanga’s largest department.
She highlighted several successes during her time in office, including improvements across the education sector and a record-breaking matric pass rate in Mpumalanga.
“We fought corruption and capture at every corner. We saved the department millions. And we sought innovative solutions to deliver quality education in both rural and urban areas,” Dlamini said.
She concluded by thanking everyone involved for their efforts in turning Mpumalanga into a “beacon of hope.”, including Lindi Masina, whom she also took a moment to welcome as her successor.
Contact Lukhona via email: journalist-lukhona@thepostnews.net
About the Author
