The department of education must explain the recent dumping of textbooks by the side of a road in Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, the DA said on Friday.

"The MEC [Reginah Mhaule] must explain where the textbooks came from, why they were dumped and who was contracted to get rid of them," spokesman James Masango said.

The books were found three weeks ago.

The Democratic Alliance said it had evidence of the textbooks lying on the side of a road. Mhaule should explain whether EduSolutions, which is contracted to distribute books in the province, was involved in the incident, said Masango.

"The MEC needs to re-assure the public that Mpumalanga will not repeat the Limpopo textbook saga and the tragic crisis of the dumping of books."

Jasper Zwane, spokesman for the department, said he did not know anything about the incident.

"That is news to me. I will inquire from officials in Komatipoort," he said.