MBOMBELA – Premier Mandla Ndlovu has pledged tougher action against fraud and corruption, saying there will be “no safe haven for corruption” as the Office of the Premier (OTP) prepares to implement a R505.9 million budget for the 2026/27 financial year.
Delivering the Vote 1 Policy and Budget Speech in the Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature on Thursday, 11 June 2026, Ndlovu said public trust depends on clean governance.
He said the OTP would lead by example and ensure provincial departments and entities spend public funds responsibly.
The Premier promised stronger internal controls and risk management across government. This includes regular audits, closer monitoring of procurement processes and stricter penalties for officials and suppliers who break the rules.
“Prevention comes first,” Ndlovu stressed, adding that departments would receive support to close loopholes before public funds are lost.
He also committed to working closely with law enforcement agencies such as the Hawks, Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
“Where investigations find wrongdoing, the Office of the Premier will ensure cases are followed through and that officials found guilty face disciplinary action. There will be no safe haven for corruption,” he said.
Ndlovu highlighted plans to strengthen whistleblower protection, saying the OTP would improve channels for public servants and citizens to report fraud without fear of victimisation. He added that reports would be investigated promptly, with feedback provided where possible.
He linked corruption directly to service delivery.
“Every rand lost to fraud is a rand that can’t go to jobs, clinics, schools or fixing tourism infrastructure,” he said.
To strengthen accountability, the OTP will publish regular updates on disciplinary cases and funds recovered, enabling the public to track progress.
The Premier also linked anti-corruption efforts to the province's economic growth agenda.
He said investors and businesses would be reluctant to invest in Mpumalanga if contracts were awarded unfairly rather than on merit.
By strengthening controls in procurement and project management, the province aims to create a fairer environment for youth, women and small businesses to participate in the economy.
“To the people of Mpumalanga, your government belongs to you,” Ndlovu said. “We will guard it, we will clean it, and we will make it work for you.”
Ndlovu requested the House to approve a budget of R505,959,000 for the 2026/27 financial year.
The budget is allocated as follows:
Programme 1: Administration receives R197,190,000 to support the operations of the Office of the Premier.
Programme 2: Institutional Development Support and Integrity Management receives R241,591,000, the largest allocation, to strengthen governance, risk management and the fight against fraud and corruption.
Programme 3: Policy, Research, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation is allocated R67,178,000 to drive planning, research and performance oversight across the provincial government.
