The Natu teachers' union has called on the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education to conduct a broader investigation into allegations of teacher positions being sold. These calls came after a video recording leaked, featuring current deputy director and department press secretary Muzi Malambi and his wife, Umhlazi Busisiwe 'Mthetu' Malambi, the district director.
Busisiwe 'Mthetu' Malambi has leveled accusations against her husband, Muzi Malambi, claiming he is involved in a scheme of sexual favors in exchange for jobs targeting teachers and in the alleged sale of teaching posts. Although these allegations have not been confirmed, both spouses firmly deny any wrongdoing.
The circulation of the video clip prompted several unemployed educators to state that they know colleagues who allegedly obtained positions after paying bribes, although no one has publicly named these individuals.
Despite the video allegations focusing on Muzi Malambi, Natu considers it irresponsible for the department to limit the investigation to one person. A Natu representative, Themba Mabidja, stated: 'We believe that if these allegations are true, there cannot be only one person involved in the sale of positions.' He emphasized that the investigation must be thorough to restore confidence in the hiring and selection processes within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education.
Mabidja also appealed to teachers and the public to provide evidence of corruption. He insisted that positions should go to deserving and qualified teachers, not those who 'bought their way into the system.'
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) supported the investigation but warned against accepting unconfirmed statements as fact. Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Kaluza described the content of the video as shocking but agreed with the department's statement that it was a personal conflict, while insisting on the need to investigate the allegations concerning the department's hiring processes.
The National Association of Teachers of South Africa (Naptosa) noted that proving these allegations would inflict further damage on public trust in the education department. Provincial CEO Tyrone Mudli remarked that these claims touch upon long-standing concerns about corruption in teacher appointments, as it undermines the department's reputation and causes disappointment among educators seeking a fair selection process.
Natu proposed that the department establish a special task force to examine the allegations related to the alleged sale of positions. Following the video leak, Muzi Malambi stated that the recording was made about five years ago during a marital dispute, and he welcomes the investigation, insisting that he and his wife were not involved in the sale of positions. Both Malambis rejected all accusations. Subsequently, the head of the KwaZulu-Natal Department, Nkosinathi Ngcobo, confirmed that the department has appointed an independent investigator to look into the allegations concerning teacher hiring and appointments.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has launched an investigation following allegations contained in a video that became public. These accusations, made by his wife Metu Malambi against his representative Muzi Malambi, concern his alleged involvement in a scheme exchanging jobs for sexual favors and selling teaching positions.
The investigation was initiated after the video appeared on social media and garnered widespread public attention. The video shows a heated family dispute during which Metu Malambi, the Umhlazi district director, voiced several grievances against her husband, including accusations of infidelity and selling pedagogical vacancies.
Department head Nkosinathi Ngcobo stated on Tuesday that he took all claims presented in the video seriously. He emphasized that these allegations affect the trust of KwaZulu-Natal citizens in public governance and the integrity of the public administration.
Although the allegations have not been confirmed, Ngcobo noted that the Department's duty is to ensure a fair, credible, and impartial verification process. He announced that he has instructed an independent body to conduct a full investigation to ascertain the truthfulness of the statements.
The Department assured the public, education stakeholders, and the residents of KwaZulu-Natal of its commitment to high standards of accountability and ethical conduct. It also urged citizens to refrain from premature conclusions until the investigation is complete, insisting on adherence to due legal process.
Meanwhile, Muzi and Metu Malambi issued joint public apologies regarding the video leak. The couple stated that the recording was made four years ago during a private marital dispute and expressed regret that this 'intensely emotional moment' became public.
In response to the accusations, they clarified that the statements should not be taken as factual. They explained that many remarks were emotional expressions stemming from hurt, disappointment, and anger, rather than reflections of reality. The couple acknowledged that their words carried significant weight and apologized to those they offended or disappointed.
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department has initiated an independent investigation following serious allegations regarding the illegal sale of teaching positions.
The department announced this after a video surfaced on social media showing a dispute between the department's Head of Communications, Muzi Malambi, and his wife, Metu Malambi, who is the director of the Umhlazi district within the department. According to the Sunday Tribune, in the video, Metu Malambi levels several accusations against her husband, including involvement in the alleged sale of educational slots and having sexual relations with job-seeking teachers.
In a joint statement, the couple claimed that the video was recorded four years ago and that the accusations are unfounded. In its statement on Tuesday, the department noted that these allegations are taken very seriously as they affect the integrity of public administration and public trust.
The head of the department ordered a full review by an independent body to establish the veracity of these claims. The department emphasized that the investigation will be conducted impartially, all relevant evidence will be considered, and conclusions should not be drawn until the review is complete.
The KwaZulu-Natal Education Department stated its full readiness to cooperate with the independent investigation and would react decisively to its findings. It also urged any individuals possessing credible information regarding these allegations to provide it to the investigative or relevant law enforcement agencies for thorough examination. The department affirmed its commitment to maintaining transparent, fair, and merit-based hiring processes and protecting the integrity of its institutions.
Sakhile Mngadi, the DA's representative for education in KwaZulu-Natal, demanded an urgent independent forensic investigation into these allegations. Mngadi noted that while the DA does not pass judgment, the accusations themselves and the person making them require immediate and independent scrutiny. He warned that if the allegations prove true, it would expose a 'shocking betrayal' of education aspirants, many of whom have sought work for years through processes they considered fair and transparent. Furthermore, a guarantee was requested for the proper preservation and examination of all evidence, including video material. If criminal conduct is found, the case must be immediately handed over to the Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
