The Minister of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Sipho Hlomuka, has welcomed the decision of the Department of Treasury to appoint a dove to closely monitor the operation of money in this department.
This move by the Department of Treasury alarmed Hlomuka, who complained that even the provincial Premier was not aware of the move contained in the letter written on May 13, 2026 to assign the Provincial Accountant General (PAG) to the Department of Education.
Speaking on Khozi FM, Hlomuka said he recently heard about the Head of the Department of Education, Mr. Nathi Ngcobo, through a letter written by the Head of the Department of Treasury in the province, Ms. Carol Coetzee, who informed him about the PAG assignment.
“I saw this letter a few days ago and there is no Cabinet decision on this matter, even the Prime Minister said he did not know when I asked him about it. This means that we now have two Prime Ministers in the province. If you look at this letter, we are accused of why we hire teachers, if we do not hire teachers, who will teach our children?” asked Hlomuka.
He said in another written letter they were asked why they wanted to hire principals, their vice-principals as well as heads of academic departments.
“If we do not hire principals as we have 500 schools without them, who will take care of these schools? It is also written that we are not managing the student transport program properly since this program is ours but it is done by the Ministry of Transport because we have never even issued a tender related to student transport,” continued Hlomuka.
The Treasurer’s letter also suggests that the financial powers of the regional offices be transferred to the headquarters of the Department of Education.
“The PAG is empowered to demand all regulations affecting the operation of money, contracts as well as the payment system of employees. It has the power to take action against those who do not follow the regulations. It will also look at the existing contracts in the department,” said the letter.
It also instructs all employees of the department to cooperate with the Treasury team.
“Employees or officials who interfere with the work of the Treasury team will be subject to disciplinary action. Those who will go against the rules set for the use of money can be charged and end up returning the money they spent carelessly. If corruption is found, those involved will be referred to the police and law enforcement agencies for prosecution,” the letter said.
Ngcobo is the one who is placed on his shoulders to ensure that all the instructions of the Treasurer are followed.
In response, the Treasury said that they have intervened in the education department to support them in the programs to ensure compliance with the financial policy so that there is stability in the department, and to strengthen the delivery of needs to the people.
It is not the first time that there has been tension between these departments as the Treasury included this department under section 18 ofPublic Finance Management Act (PFMA), which restricts education to spend money without the approval of the Treasury.
The Ministry of Education is facing a problem of budget cuts which makes it unable to pay some contractors on time. Last year, you failed to buy school textbooks because you did not have enough money. You are always in the conversation as you cannot pay school fees on time, Norms and Standards. The teachers’ union, Sadtu, even went to the High Court to compel the department to meet all the needs of students and teachers.
