The recent appointment of Yali Joyi as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has drawn sharp criticism, following her departure from a previous CFO role in the provincial government under controversial circumstances.
Joyi’s return to a high-ranking financial post has raised eyebrows among oversight bodies, education stakeholders, and political observers, who question the decision to reinstate her amid unresolved concerns from her prior tenure. While details of her previous exit remain undisclosed to the public, sources within the provincial administration have described it as being “under a cloud,” fuelling doubts about transparency and accountability in senior appointments.
Critics argue that the move undermines public trust in financial governance within one of the province’s most critical departments — particularly given ongoing challenges in service delivery, infrastructure, and fiscal discipline in the education sector.
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has yet to issue an official statement addressing the backlash. Meanwhile, calls are growing for Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube’s office and the Public Service Commission to review the appointment process and clarify the rationale behind Joyi’s selection.
