Who and what is AfriForum?

AfriForum is an Afrikaans civil rights organisation that protects the rights of minority groups at national as well as provincial level, and anyone who can identify with AfriForum’s principles and objectives may join the organisation. AfriForum’s community plan focuses on mobilising communities to thus take control of their own streets and neighbourhoods again. AfriForum ensures that your constitutional and civil rights are recognised and protected at national level.

Wie en wat is AfriForum?

AfriForum is ’n Afrikaanse burgerregteorganisasie wat die regte van minderheidsgroepe op sowel nasionale as provinsiale vlak beskerm, en enigiemand wat met AfriForum se beginsels en doelstellings kan identifiseer, mag by die organisasie aansluit. AfriForum se gemeenskapsplan fokus daarop om gemeenskappe te mobiliseer om só weer beheer terug te neem oor hul eie strate en woonbuurtes. AfriForum verseker dat jou grondwetlike én burgerregte op nasionale vlak erken en beskerm word.

AfriForum awaits response to PAIA request regarding Mpumalanga Education’s expensive computers

On 18 February 2025, AfriForum made a formal request in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (also known as PAIA) to the Mpumalanga Department of Education to obtain more information about the purchase of 22 laptops in December 2024.

This followed an anonymous source providing information to AfriForum indicating that the computers were apparently purchased at a cost far above the general market price of similar computers. The purchases also led to shock and incisive questions in the question-and-answer session of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature yesterday (16 April).

According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, the department has so far requested an extension because some of the information requested by AfriForum concerns individuals and the department is careful not to violate legislation on the protection of private information. AfriForum wants to know, among other things, how the specifications for the models and software that were decided upon were agreed upon; details of the tender process that was followed; the names of suppliers who submitted tenders for the purchases; the final amount for which the laptops were purchased; any documents that outline the pricing structure; for what purpose they will be used by the department; as well as an explanation of the budget allocation for the purchase thereof.

Meanwhile, the same anonymous source also sent a letter dated 3 March 2025 to AfriForum stating that Lucy Moyane, the provincial head of the education department, instructed that all data from the computers be wiped so that it could be returned to the supplier because it “does not meet the department’s supply requirements”.

Bailey says that this looks a lot like damage control or even a cover-up in response to the PAIA application. “We look forward to the answers to our questions and then we also want to find out whether the computers were indeed returned to the supplier and if the amount for which they were purchased was refunded to the department,” she says.

She emphasises that any possible misuse of funds by education authorities at provincial or national level is not only unacceptable and must be addressed, but also leaves a sour taste in the mouth when one considers how many challenges schools and learners are facing as a result of budget deficits. “This cannot therefore be tolerated and AfriForum also demands action against any official responsible for misappropriation.”