The Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Land And Environmental Affairs (Dardlea) is an integral part of the South African Public Service established in terms of section 197 of the Constitution and read with section 7 (1) and 7 (2) of the Public Services Act of 1994.The Department derives its core mandate from the provisions of schedules 4 and 5 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and in accordance with section 104 (1) b of the Constitution. As a concurrent national and provincial legislative competency listed in schedule 4 of the Constitution, the Department, as part of the system of concurrent governance, derives its administrative mandate from both National Parliament and Provincial Legislature. The Department derives its mandates from a number of Acts and policies.
The department is headed by the Member of the Executive Council appointed by the Premier of the Mpumalanga province. The MEC is assisted by the Head of Department, who is the Accounting Officer. The staff members of the department are appointed in terms of the Public Service Act of 1994.
The department is accountable to the Provincial Legislature.