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Eastern Cape education official cleared of all six charges

Published

Vuyiseka Aviwe Mboxela, the communications director of the Eastern Cape education department, says she is ready to return to work. A disciplinary inquiry found the department failed to prove its case against her.

Inquiry chairperson MP Mhlanti issued the finding, dated 21 October. He ruled that the department did not prove the charges on a balance of probabilities. The ruling also ordered the charges removed from Mboxela's personal file.

Mhlanti explained the finding in the ruling. He wrote: "A disciplinary finding must be based upon evidence and reasonable inference, not suspicion."

Mboxela claims the charges had no basis from the beginning. She says she was made a "sacrificial lamb" to protect relations between the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union and the department's top management. She also says she has peace with those involved. The case includes victimisation allegations that name department deputy director Malibongwe Mtima.

Key facts

Who
Vuyiseka Aviwe Mboxela (Eastern Cape education department communications director, cleared of…); MP Mhlanti (disciplinary inquiry chairperson); Malibongwe Mtima (deputy director in the department, named in victimisation allegations); National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (union Mboxela says her case was linked to through alleged relations with top…)
What
A disciplinary inquiry chairperson, MP Mhlanti, ruled in a finding dated October 21 that the department failed to prove its six charges against Mboxela on a balance of probabilities. Mboxela says she is ready to return to work.
When
21 October 2026
Where
Eastern Cape
Status
Reported

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