Media Statement

To: News Editors and Journalists

Dated: 27 November 2024

MEC Gade urges departmental officials to report any work related extortions

The Eastern Cape Department of Education MEC, Fundile Gade has learnt with shock of the threats against the departmental Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Nokuthula Ngcingwana by extortionists demanding her resignation or face death should she fail to resign from her position.

The MEC views these threats very serious as such a case has been opened with the law enforcement agencies to further investigate the matter. Subsequently, the department decided to place the CFO on special leave in the interim, and an Acting CFO has been appointed to ensure business continuity. Gade calls upon all law-abiding citizens and employees of the department to cooperate with the investigators and report any work-related extortions. The MEC also assured all employees of the department that the matter is receiving seriousconsideration.

“The effort that is going to be put in pursuit of the culprits that threatened the life of the CFO, is the same effort that is going to be put in uprooting the source of this criminality within the department. Furthermore, we will make a relentless effort in finding the responsible culprits.”, cautioned Gade.

NB! The department will not be able to take any interviews on the matter to avoid compromising the integrity of the investigation.

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Issued by the Eastern Cape Department of Education Communications

Directorate. For any enquiries, please contact the DoE Spokesperson, Mr Mali Mtima at 083 795 2117, Acting Director: Communications and Events Management, Ms Nyameka Tokwe-Mgijima at 060 530 0348.