WeeklySA_AdminRACKET: Hawks crackdown in the provincial education department nets 38 suspects granted bail of more than R1 million over school repair corruption that investigators say deprived learners of critical resources…
By Jabulane Khumalo and Bongani Hlatswayo
MBOMBELA – Thirty-eight accused linked to an alleged R114 million Mpumalanga Department of Education tender fraud scheme have been granted a combined bail of R1.625 million following a three-day bail application at the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court.
The accused – including senior government officials, service providers and private individuals – were arrested in a coordinated multi-provincial Hawks operation conducted in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Limpopo and the Western Cape.
The arrests stem from a long-running investigation dating back to 2018 into alleged corruption involving emergency school repair and maintenance contracts across the province.
How the Scheme Allegedly Worked
According to investigators, tenders worth approximately R114 million were awarded to various service providers, some of whom were allegedly handpicked outside proper supply chain procedures.
Authorities allege that:
• Some contractors delivered substandard work
• Others were paid for services never rendered
• Some were paid more than once for the same work
Investigators further believe the funds were siphoned through multiple accounts before reaching government officials.
The alleged fraud centred on fabricated emergency repairs at 21 schools, with inflated tender prices used to justify payments.
The investigation identified 17 service providers and 10 government officials, including a former acting Head of Department, as key figures in the alleged scheme.
Major-General Nico Gerber, head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, described the case as a serious money-laundering investigation built from more than 40 separate cases.
Multi-Province Swoop
The arrests followed coordinated raids conducted simultaneously across several provinces.
Authorities confirmed:
• 21 suspects were arrested in Mpumalanga
• Four in Gauteng
• One in Limpopo
• One in the Western Cape
In one instance, Hawks officers attempted to arrest a pastor linked to the case at his Barberton residence but were informed he had gone to conduct “mountain prayers”.
An acting Head of Department at the time of the alleged offences was later arrested at his home.
Homes of two additional suspects in Barberton were raided, but no there was no trace of the accused being sought.
Upon returning to the Hawks’ offices in Mbombela, Major-General Gerber confirmed that while the Barberton operation was underway, similar operations were being conducted across Mpumalanga and other provinces.
Next Court Date
Bail amounts varied among the accused:
• Three suspects were granted bail of R20 000 each
• One suspect was granted R30 000 bail
• Thirty-one suspects were granted R50 000 bail
• A wheelchair-bound accused and two students received bail of R5 000 each
The accused are expected to return to court on March 26.
Learners Paid the Price
Investigators say the alleged scheme deprived schools of urgently needed infrastructure and maintenance.
“The Hawks will not tolerate the looting of public funds. Those who steal from the state are stealing from our communities, our children and our future,” said Major-General Gerber.
Political parties across the province condemned the alleged corruption, saying it undermined education and public trust.
ActionSA described the scale of the alleged fraud as “deeply troubling,” noting that the funds should have been used to improve school infrastructure and learner safety.
The party said the arrests raise serious questions about governance and oversight within the department.
“ActionSA calls on the National Prosecuting Authority to pursue this matter thoroughly and without delay. Those found guilty must face the full consequences of the law, regardless of status or political affiliation,” Thoko Mashiane, the party’s Member of Provincial Legislation in Mpumalanga.
The Mpumalanga Department of Education said it would not comment on the merits of the case as the matter is before the courts but reiterated its commitment to ethical governance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
The case is expected to test the criminal justice system’s ability to prosecute complex corruption cases involving senior officials and private contractors.
The ANC said: “These arrests demonstrate the long arm of the law, as some of these crimes date back to 2018, and reflect the ANC-led government’s commitment to fighting fraud and corruption wherever it rears its ugly head”.
”The MEC for Education cannot simply condemn corruption after arrests have been made. Political accountability requires clear answers on how these irregularities were allowed to persist, what warning signs were ignored, and why decisive action was not taken sooner to prevent the loss of public funds,” she said.
Collen Sedibe, EFF provincial chairperson said: “The looting of public funds meant for emergency repairs and maintenance of schools is not only criminal, but an attack on the future of our children. The EFF Mpumalanga calls for the immediate arrest of all remaining
suspects, including those still at large”.
The DA called on the department to thoroughly vet its HODs and other senior directors before employing them”.
If proven, the allegations would represent one of the largest education-sector corruption cases in Mpumalanga in recent years. – Mpumalanga Mirror
